Symptoms of constipation develop during the first year of life in 40% of children, in 19.2% of children aged 4-9 years and in 15.2% of children aged 10-18 years. Constipation usually causes significant distress to both parents & child.

Constipation mainly occurs when the infant experiences a painful defecation: the infant then voluntarily retains passing the stools, causing prolonged fecal stasis in the colon, which result in fluid reabsorption as well as an increase in stool size and a harder consistency³.

After several days without bowel movements, the most common symptoms are irritability, abdominal distension, cramps and decreased food intake³.

Causes of constipation in babies are numerous: change of environment, immaturity of the digestive system, diet (such as low fiber intake, un-adapted diet to the needs of the infant, or poor dilution of powdered infant formula) but also toilet training or stressful events. Undercurrent diseases are also factors that may favor constipation.

If no action is taken to break the vicious circle of constipation, it can lead to fecal incontinence, loss of rectal sensation and ultimately loss of normal urge to defecate⁴. Therefore, an early and adequate intervention contributes to a better prognosis.