Constipation Archives

chilhood constipation

Dear Dr. Stoll:
I read the article about child constipation & with-holding, and am so glad that I did. I have a 3-year-old son who has been constipated since birth, (he is a twin, and they both eat similar diets, yet only one has this problem). I have asked our doctor during well-checks for advice, and have been putting mineral oil in his night-time bottles for the last couple of years. While it has been somewhat effective, it only takes a missed dose or two to create difficulty. I will be adding the metamucil per your recommendation in the article. The question I have, though, is that since he has been constipated since birth, is there no other explanation for his constipation? I can't believe it has been so persistent. Of my 4 children, he is the only one who has been chronically constipated, and it seems unusual to me for it to have lasted all this time. Even on the occasions that his stools have seemed 'normal', it has been short-lived, and I cannot account for any differences in his eating/drinking habits, etc.
Anyway, I appreciate your time.
Thank you,
D. O., Laguna Hills, CA

Follow Ups:

• Re: chilhood constipation (Archive in LGS.) Walt Stoll 08:57:54 5/06/02 (0)

In Reply to: chilhood constipation posted by D. O. on May 05, 2002 at 00:58:28:

Hi, D.O.

This is an example of genetic susceptibility.

He will always have to be more careful with his GI tract than his peers. However, by his taking the time to learn about this, he will be able to live a normal life with just a little extra effort.

For now, YOU are the one who will have to learn enough to resolve this.

The first thing I would do is make sure that he only has a PWFD. This may not be necessary for more than a few years.

Next, he needs to be put on the adult doses of probiotics (see the archives). Probably for a month or so.

If this does not produce normal movements, within a month or so, he is likely hypersensitive to something. Caseine would be the most likely and wheat would be the next most likely. Let us cross that bridge when we come to it.

Finally, once his stools have been normal for a month or so, you should be able to start cutting the metamucil doses and, eventually, even the MO.

Let us know how he does. This is congenital LGS which is correctable by the above. See the glossary for any unfamiliar terms.

Walt