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Old May 14th 08, 01:45 PM posted to misc.kids
Stephanie[_2_]
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Default my 6 year old poops his pants

Beth Kevles wrote:
Encoporesis (pooping in the pants) is not *that* unusual in
school-aged children. If it appears *after* the completion of toilet
training (typically when a child starts formal schooling) then it
probably means that that the child has gotten into the habit of
holding back (for example, waiting to get home to poop) with the
consequence that the
bowel becomes distorted and it moves from a behavioral problem to a
medical problem.


How would one know if this were the case unless A. the child was willing to
express some kind of issue B. soiling (or leakage) or C. bleeding? Are there
other tell-tale signs?

Thanks


And yes, if not attended to and resolved, it can become a problem with
very long-term consequences.

The medical problem is basically that, with the bowel distored by the
large amount of poop retained, the signals that normally tell you when
you need to go stop working and the child stops even realizing that
his bowel is full. And the poop seeps out, without the child having
any control.

The solution is multi-step.

First, if the behavioral root of the problem still exists, eliminate
it. Sometimes it can be as simple as telling the child it's okay to
use the toilet at school. Sometimes it means solving a bullying
problem in the bathroom. Whatever it is, resolve it as best you can.

Now, the medical part. It's important that your child get on a
regular schedule, at least for a while. Many doctors recommend a
diet high in fiber and fluids, but also a daily dose of mineral oil.
Then require your child to sit on the toilet every morning and
evening.

Once your chid is pooping at least once a day the problem will start
to resolve. After a couple of months of regularity, the bowel should
stop being distended and the child should be recognizing his own body
signals successfully.

Frequent soiling is definitely a problem to be discussed with the
child's pediatrician. Although withholding can be a cause, there are
other possible causes as well.

I hope these thoughts help,
--Beth Kevles
-THE-COM-HERE
http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the
milk-allergic Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be
construed as medical advice. Please consult with your own medical
practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the GMAIL one if you
would like me to reply.