Question

My child has had bowel movements every two or three days since two months old. Is there any problem? If there is a problem, how should it be handled? Thank you.

Answer

Hello: When considering pediatric constipation, the following factors should be taken into account:

  1. Insufficient Diet: When a child eats too little, the residue in the intestines is reduced, leading to fewer bowel movements. Insufficient sugar content in milk can make the stool dry. Prolonged insufficient diet can lead to malnutrition, weakening abdominal and intestinal muscles, insufficient tension, and weak peristalsis, causing chronic constipation.
  2. Inappropriate Food Composition: Constipation is closely related to the composition of food. An excess of protein and insufficient carbohydrates in the diet can reduce the number of intestinal fermentation bacteria, affecting fermentation and causing alkaline, dry stool, leading to constipation. Foods high in casein can increase stool volume due to the presence of large amounts of indissolvable calcium soaps, making constipation more likely. Additionally, refined rice flour and refined wheat flour, which have less residue than whole grains, are more likely to cause constipation.
  3. Intestinal Function Disorders: Due to irregular lifestyles and defecation habits, the formation of defecation reflexes may weaken or not form at all, leading to relaxed intestinal muscles and constipation. Certain medications or diseases that weaken intestinal wall muscle strength and cause dysfunction, as well as abnormal sympathetic nervous system function, can also lead to constipation.
  4. Genetic and Physiological Defects: Some children are constipated even after birth. A family history may be related to genetics. Certain physiological defect diseases such as anal fissure, anal stenosis, and congenital megacolon can all cause constipation.
  5. Psychological Factors: Sudden emotional stress or changes in living environment can lead to short-term constipation.