Constipation in a child of 2 years old can occur for various reasons, both functional and organic.. At the age of two, about every 4th child faces the problem. This may be due to psychological factors, such as going to kindergarten, or to a serious bowel disease.. If a violation of bowel movements occurs rarely, and the physical condition of the baby is not disturbed, you can limit yourself to treatment at home. Persistent constipation should alert parents, the child must be examined to rule out organic pathology, according to the online publication for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net Constipation in young children is said to be in the absence of daily bowel movementsWhat is it Due to the immaturity of the digestive system in babies, food passes through the gastrointestinal tract faster. If in adults, constipation is considered to be a bowel movement less than 1 time in 3 days, then in children aged 2 years, stool less than 1 time per day is considered a deviation from the norm..

Even if the frequency of bowel movements is normal, you need to pay attention to the shape of the feces. Constipation is indicated by dry, hard, ball-shaped stools..

Constipation in a child 2 years old: causesAll the reasons that can lead to stool retention are divided into 2 large groups - functional and organic. Functional causes lead to dysfunction of the intestine, but its structure does not change. Organic causes may be related to structural abnormalities, inflammation, infection, or neoplasm.

Functional causes With functional constipation, the nervous or humoral regulation of intestinal activity is disturbed. This condition can be caused by a number of reasons - alimentary, psychological and physiological..

Cause group.

Explanation.

Alimentary.

Among the nutritional reasons (related to nutrition) are the following:.

inadequate fluid intake;

Lack of fiber in the diet;

Disruption of diet;

Excess consumption of fats and proteins;

mashed dishes predominate in the diet.

Psychological.

Psychological factors can also lead to a delay in stool in a baby:.

stress associated with going to the toilet at home or in the garden;

Fear of the potty due to pain;

protest restraint, when the child does not defecate, to attract the attention of parents.

Physiological.

Constipation in a young child is often caused by a violation of intestinal motility - the peristaltic wave is weak or antiperistalsis is strongly pronounced (movement of feces in the opposite direction).

Organic causes In organic constipation, there are any structural changes in the intestine - stenosis, pathological expansion, tumor, polyps, inflammation. In children of 2 years of age, the following diseases are often the cause of stool retention:.

Disease name.

Description.

Hirschsprung disease.

A congenital disease in which there are no nerve endings in the colon, which leads to a lack of peristalsis in this area. The main symptom of the disease is persistent constipation, which appears from the birth of the baby..

Dolichosigma.

A disease in which the sigmoid colon is lengthened. Due to the lengthening of the intestine, the accumulation of feces occurs.

Megacolon.

A disease characterized by enlargement of the large intestine. With a congenital form of the disease, symptoms (difficulty defecation, flatulence, abdominal pain) occur from the birth of a child.

Colitis.

Stool retention can be caused by inflammation of the large intestine - colitis. The cause of colitis may be an intestinal infection or the development of inflammation against the background of structural abnormalities of the colon..

Colon stenosis.

With stenosis (narrowing) of the intestine, the passage of feces is difficult. In young children, stenosis of the colon is congenital..

Tumors.

Tumors and polyps of the intestine narrow its lumen, which leads to stool retention.

Organic causes are not limited to the gastrointestinal tract. Often, constipation is a symptom of a disease in another system.. For example, stool retention is a common symptom of congenital hypothyroidism (decreased thyroid function) and rickets..

Main symptoms The main symptom of the disease is bowel movement less than 6 times a week. In this case, defecation is accompanied by difficulty, it is necessary to use additional manipulations..

With chronic constipation, symptoms of intoxication may develop - the child becomes lethargic, drowsy, does not want to play, refuses to eat. With acute constipation, the child may have severe stomach pain - he screams, cries, wriggles.

Diagnostic methods If you have frequent constipation, be sure to contact your pediatrician. The doctor will examine the child, if necessary, prescribe an additional examination - fecal analysis, X-ray examination of the intestine. During a physical examination, the doctor palpates the abdomen, examines the anal area, checks the anal reflex.

Diagnostic method.

Who is eligible for the study.

Description of results.

Coprogram.

All patients.

The first analysis that is prescribed for defecation disorders is a coprogram. What changes in the analysis are characteristic for pathology:.

feces hard, dense;

Round shape, spherical;

little digested fiber;

leukocytes and squamous epithelium can be determined.

Analysis of feces for eggs of worms.

All patients.

It is prescribed to exclude helminthic invasion, which can also be the cause of stool retention in a baby..

General blood analysis.

All patients.

It is prescribed to detect signs of inflammation, helminthic invasion:.

with inflammation, an increase in leukocytes and ESR is determined;

with helminthic invasion - an increase in eosinophils.

Irrigoscopy.

If an organic pathology is suspected.

Indicated for suspected structural bowel abnormalities. A contrast agent is injected into the rectum, then a series of x-rays are taken. With the help of irrigoscopy, it is possible to detect expansion or lengthening of sections of the colon, the presence of polyps and tumor formations..

Colonoscopy.

If an organic pathology is suspected.

Endoscopic examination of the large intestine. An endoscope is inserted into the rectum and the intestinal mucosa is examined. Mucosal changes, ulcers and erosion can be detected. Colonoscopy also allows biopsy.

Colonoscopy is a traumatic method of research, therefore it is used infrequently in children..

Treatment of constipation in children 2 years of ageTreatment is not limited to only one treatment method, an integrated approach is used. With functional constipation, diet therapy, active games, massage, the formation of a defecation regime, psychological work with a child are used.. If non-pharmacological treatment does not help, the child can be treated with home remedies and laxatives (strictly under the supervision of a doctor).

Recommendations for home treatment In about half of the cases, it is possible to normalize the work of the intestines without the use of medicines, for this you need to correct the baby's lifestyle. What can be done at home:.

Give your child more to drink. Lack of fluid often leads to difficulty defecation. How much water to give per day depends on weight - 50 ml of water is required per 1 kg of weight.

Set up a bowel movement for your baby. Organize a comfortable and convenient toilet, do not allow negative emotions at the time of defecation. Teach your baby to empty their bowels at the same time.

Avoid the morning rush, the child should eat breakfast slowly.

Children often have atonic constipation, so they need to maintain an active lifestyle. Spend more time outdoors, play active games, limit TV time.

Reflex stimulation will help get rid of symptoms - before eating, do a light massage of the abdomen clockwise for 5 minutes.

Diet To normalize bowel function, you need to eat right. For a baby aged 2 years, fractional meals are recommended 6 times a day - 3 main meals and 2 snacks.

What foods have a positive effect on the condition of the intestines:.

Fiber-containing: fresh vegetables and fruits, berries, herbs, bran, rye bread.

Fermented milk products that improve intestinal motility and prevent dysbacteriosis: kefir, curdled milk, yoghurts without additives.

Sources of potassium: prunes, figs, raisins, dried apricots.

Oatmeal and buckwheat porridge.

It is necessary to limit the use of foods that inhibit bowel movements - strong broths, semolina, jelly, puree soups. Chocolate, rich products, smoked meats should be completely excluded from the diet..

For the treatment of constipation in babies, it is important to adjust nutrition and provide a favorable psychological climate.

They should be used carefully, as side effects may develop - addiction, dehydration, allergic reactions.. Before using laxatives, be sure to consult a pediatrician and carefully follow the instructions..

What laxatives can be used for babies at the age of 2 years:.

Oils with a softening effect - castor, vaseline, sea buckthorn. They can be given orally or administered rectally as suppositories..

Herbal laxatives. These are mild laxatives that contain senna leaves or rhubarb root - Senade, Senadexin.

Prebiotics with a mild laxative effect (based on Lactulose).

Folk remedies Often, folk recipes based on herbs or foods are used to treat constipation..

Name.

Recipe.

How to use.

Prunes decoction.

Rinse 50 grams of prunes under water, pour a glass of boiling water and cook for 15 minutes. Strain, let cool.

50 ml 3 times a day 30 minutes after meals.

Rhubarb Root Infusion.

1 st. rhubarb root pour 1 cup boiling water, leave for 12 hours.

1 tbsp each. before bedtime.

Flax seed infusion.

2 st. pour boiling water over flax seeds, let it brew for 8 hours.

1 tbsp each. 3 times a day before meals.

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