Question: What are the symptoms of constipation in children?
Answer: Symptoms of constipation in children may include your child

having fewer than twobowel movementsa week
passingstoolsthat are hard, dry, or lumpy
having stools that are difficult or painful to pass
telling you that he or she feels that not all stool has passed
changing positions to avoid or delay having a bowel movement, includingstanding on tiptoes and then rocking back on his or her heelsclenching his or her buttocksdoing unusual, dancelike movements
standing on tiptoes and then rocking back on his or her heels
clenching his or her buttocks
doing unusual, dancelike movements
having a swollenabdomen, orbloating
havingdaytime or nighttime wetting
having stool in his or her underwear that looks like diarrhea

If your child avoids or delays having a bowel movement, he or she may develop a fecal impaction.
Question: When should my child see a doctor?
Answer: Your child should see a doctor if his or her symptoms last for more than 2 weeks or do not go away with at-home treatment.

Take your child to a doctor right away if he or she has constipation and any of the following symptoms

bleeding from his or herrectum
blood in his or her stool
bloating
constant pain in his or her abdomen
vomiting
weight loss
Question: What causes constipation in children?
Answer: Children most often get constipated from holding in their stool to avoid or delay having a bowel movement. When stool stays too long in the colon, the colon absorbs too much fluid from the stool. Then the stool becomes hard, dry, and difficult to pass. Learn more about the digestive system and how it works.

Your child may delay or avoid a bowel movement because he or she

feels stressed about potty training
feels embarrassed to use a public bathroom
does not want to interrupt playtime
fears having a painful or an unpleasant bowel movement

Certain medicines

Medicines and dietary supplements that can make constipation in children worse include

antacidsthat contain aluminum andcalcium
anticholinergicsandantispasmodics
anticonvulsants—used to preventseizures
iron supplements
narcotic pain medicines
some medicines used to treatdepression

Certain health and nutrition problems

Certain health and nutrition problems can cause constipation in children

not eating enough fiber
not drinking enough liquids ordehydration
Hirschsprung disease
celiac disease
disorders that affect your brain and spine, such asspina bifida
spinal cord or brain injuries
conditions that affect theirmetabolism, such asdiabetes
conditions that affect theirhormones, such ashypothyroidism
problems that can block or narrow the colon or rectum, including tumors