What causes constipation in children?

There are many reasons for constipation in children. The main physiological reasons include that the food children eat is too high in calories and they eat too much greasy food, which can cause indigestion and constipation. Of course, if the child has some gastrointestinal diseases, it will also cause such symptoms. This is a great threat to the child's health and the condition should be treated in time. Severe cases should be treated in time.

Causes of constipation in children

1. Inadequate diet

Children often suffer from constipation because they eat too little, which results in less liquid absorption after digestion, causing less and thicker stools, leading to constipation.

2. Improper food ingredients

The nature of stool is closely related to food composition. If the food contains a lot of protein but insufficient carbohydrates, the intestinal flora will change, the fermentation process of the intestinal contents will be less, and the stool will tend to be alkaline and dry. If the food contains more carbohydrates, the intestinal fermentation bacteria will increase, the fermentation effect will increase, more acid will be produced, the stool will tend to be acidic, frequent and soft; if the food intake is high in fat and carbohydrates, the stool will be smooth. If you eat a large amount of calcified casein, it will cause a large amount of insoluble calcium soap in your feces, which will not only increase the amount of feces but also cause constipation. Rice noodles and flour-based foods are prone to cause constipation. Children are picky eaters. Many children like to eat meat and eat little or no vegetables. There is too little fiber in their food, which can easily lead to constipation.

3. Intestinal dysfunction

It is common to suffer from constipation due to irregular lifestyle, lack of training for regular bowel movements, and failure to form a conditioned reflex for defecation. In addition, school-age children often do not have the habit of defecating in the morning, and cannot defecate at any time during study time. Holding back bowel movements during class is also a common cause of constipation. Frequent use of laxatives or enemas, lack of physical activity, or chronic diseases such as malnutrition, rickets, hypercalcemia, dermatomyositis, cretinism and congenital myasthenia gravis can all lead to constipation due to weakness and dysfunction of the intestinal wall muscles. Sympathetic nerve dysfunction and weak or paralyzed abdominal muscles also often cause constipation.

4. Physical and physiological abnormalities

If a child has physical and physiological abnormalities, such as anal fissure, anal stenosis, congenital megacolon, spina bifida or tumors, etc., constipation may occur, and parents should be aware of this. A digital rectal examination, lower spine, and perineum should be performed. Some children are constipated after birth. If there is a family history, it may be related to genetics.

5. Mental factors

Sudden mental stimulation or sudden changes in environment and living habits in children may also cause short-term constipation.