How Soon Should My Child See a Doctor for Constipation?

If your child isn’t having bowel movements as often as usual, they may be dealing with acute or chronic constipation. While constipation is typically a temporary side effect of diet changes or poor hydration, it can also be a symptom of more serious medical issues.

At American Pediatrics, we offer same-day sick visits to evaluate your child’s health and identify the cause of constipation. Our pediatricians also personalize a treatment plan to relieve your child’s discomfort and restore their healthy bowel function.

We also offer educational resources you can use to protect your child from additional episodes of constipation.

Causes of constipation in children

Constipation describes infrequent bowel movements. Constipated children may also struggle to pass stool that’s dry and hard.  

Common causes for constipation in kids include:

• Diet changes
• Lack of fiber
• Consumption of too much dairy
• Travel and other routine disruptions
• Use of certain medications
• Underlying digestive or metabolic disorders

Your child may also be prone to constipation during toilet training or if they avoid using the bathroom while engaged in other activities.

When to seek medical attention for a constipated child

While many children experience occasional constipation that eventually resolves without medical intervention, frequent or chronic constipation can be a warning sign that something else is happening.

Our pediatricians recommend scheduling a diagnostic evaluation if your child experiences constipation for two weeks or more. We offer comprehensive evaluations, including a physical exam, bloodwork, and diagnostic imaging tests to identify the cause of constipation.

Your child may also need a colonoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a lighted scope to view your child’s lower digestive tract. A colonoscopy can reveal blockages in the colon or rectum that prevent stool from leaving the body.

Based on your child’s test results, our specialists create a treatment plan to address the underlying cause of constipation and support your child’s healthy bowel movements. 

Understanding your child’s treatment options for constipation

Our pediatrics team focuses on holistic therapies that make it easier for your child to pass stool. Initially, we may recommend stool softeners to make bowel movements more comfortable.

Some medications bring more water into the intestines to prevent stool from drying out and hardening.

Lifestyle changes can also treat existing constipation and prevent additional bowel movement problems. Our providers may recommend strategies like:

• Daily exercise
• Eating a high-fiber diet
• Staying properly hydrated
• Following a regular bathroom schedule

You should also stay proactive about encouraging your child to use the bathroom when they feel the urge to move their bowels.

If your child has a blockage that contributes to frequent constipation, our physicians can discuss the need for surgery. Surgery can treat the blockage and lower your child’s risk for anal fissures, rectal prolapse, and other serious constipation complications.

Call American Pediatrics in Eastvale, Corona, or Irvine, California, to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for constipation or book an appointment online today.