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Children who are constipated may try to not have bowel movements if doing so causes pain. They may tighten their buttocks and contort their bodies in an effort to prevent having a bowel movement. Your child may be constipated if he or she: Has difficulty passing stool Passes hard, dry stool with or without blood on it Passes stool less than three times per week Has pain while passing stool Is nauseous Has abdominal pain Passes small amounts of liquid or clay-like stool. You may find this also in the child's underwear. Children in certain situations may be more likely to become constipated. These include: Not engaging in regular physical activity Eating a low fiber diet Frequent dehydration Taking medications that increase the risk of constipation, such as some antidepressants Having a medical problem with the anus or rectum Having family members are also prone to constipation Having neurological problems, such as cerebral palsy Having emotional issues or new causes of stress Having an underactive thyroid or other metabolic problem Most of the time, constipation does not develop complications or indicate a more serious problem. Signs of complications and serious problems include: Fever Vomiting Bloody stools A distended abdomen Weight loss Areas where the skin around the anus has ripped open A rectal prolapse, in which the intestines are coming out of the anus Frequent or painful urination, which can be a sign of a urinary tract infection. This is common in children with constipation. Poor appetite. Severe or constant abdominal pain.
Identify symptoms of constipation. Recognizing if your child is at risk of constipation. See a doctor if your child has symptoms that suggest that the condition may be more serious.