Lanarkshire Acute Hospitals Constipation in Children Information for patients
What is constipation? Constipation refers to bowel movements which are infrequent, hard and difficult to pass. There are a number of causes, one of which is dietary. Constipation can cause stomach pain and poor appetite in young children. Why do we become constipated? Lack of dietary fibre soluble and insoluble Foods such as oats, pulses, fruit and salad vegetables are good sources of soluble fibre which acts like a gel and softens the stools so they are more easily passed. Foods such as vegetables, wholemeal and wholegrain cereals, contain insoluble fibre which provides bulk which helps increase the volume to be passed this fibre requires sufficient fluid as it moves through the gut, to prevent blockage. Lack of fluid intake It is important to ensure sufficient and appropriate fluid is consumed in a day. Offer unsweetened, caffeine-free beverages as a drink, such as water, milk, fruit-juice and diluting juice. Fruit juice is best to be diluted due to the natural occurring sugars in fruit. Try to offer fluids after a meal or snack. If they are given immediately before food they can affect appetite. Irregular meal pattern causing irregular bowel habits Children often become constipated because they are picky eaters. They may eat irregular meals with a poor fruit and vegetable intake, and dislike high fibre wholemeal or wholegrain breads. Lack of activity Encourage your child to be as active as possible to help improve their bowels. 2 Constipation in Children
How do we increase fibre in the diet? Use high fibre cereals and breads Some examples are Weetabix, Branflakes, porridge, wholemeal or seeded bread. Avoid unprocessed bran. Eat more vegetables cooked and raw in soups, stews, casseroles, bolognese and salads. Pulses such as beans, peas, lentils and sweetcorn are great sources of fibre and popular with children. They can be disguised in meals eg lasagna, bolognese, casseroles. Cereal bars, dried fruits, fruit loaf, nuts or chopped fresh fruits as snacks are better than sweets and crisps. (Remember do not give whole nuts to children under 5 years of age) Cakes and biscuits with fruit, nuts and whole grain cereals. Fruit smoothie drinks. Fruit puree and crumbles as desserts. Fruit and vegetable sticks with salsa and hummus dips. Fresh or dried fruit added to breakfast cereals. Constipation in Children 3
Other helpful hints to preventing constipation. Anxiety can make constipation worse. Ensure the child is relaxed, and allow plenty of time when toileting. Ensure the intake of both types of dietary fibre is evenly distributed over the day, and similar daily amounts are consumed to allow a regular pattern. Encourage the child to go to the toilet at the same time each day, so they get into a regular habit. Encourage the child to go to the toilet as soon as they feel the need to go, rather than to hold it in. 4 Constipation in Children
Community Dietitans: 01698 201440 Wishaw General Hospital: 01698 366188 Constipation in Children 5
Confidentiality and the use of patient information For the purpose of your present and future medical treatment, we will record details of your care. Some use may be made of this information for research purposes and to help in the planning of health services for the future. Some information will be processed on a computer. Information about your care and treatment may also be viewed by inspectors authorised by the Scottish Government. At all times great care will be taken to ensure that your information is kept confidential. The Data Protection Act 1998 gives you the right of access to any personal information which NHS Lanarkshire hold about you either in manual records or NHS Lanarkshire - for local services on its computers. If you wish and the latest health news visit to apply for access to your www.nhslanarkshire.org.uk data, or if you would like more information about your rights NHS Lanarkshire General under the Act you should, in Enquiry Line: 0300 30 30 243 the first instance, contact the NHS inform - The national health Health Records Manager at information service for Scotland. the hospital. www.nhsinform.co.uk Tel No: 0800 22 44 88 www.patientopinion.org.uk If you need this information in another language or format, please contact the NHS Lanarkshire General Enquiry Line on 0300 30 30 243 or e-mail info@lanarkshire.scot.nhs.uk Pub. date: May 2016 Review date: May 2018 Issue No: 01 Department: Paediatrics PIL.CONCHI.16_07658.L Design - Medical Illustration, NHS Lanarkshire