|
Retentive Encopresis frequently results from chronic constipation, which over time results in fecal impaction and in leakage of soft or liquid stool accumulated around the impacted stool or feces. The leakage may occur during the day or night and it is NOT under the conscious control of the child. The frequecy of leakage varies infrequent occurances to a continuous flow. Many children have a history of constipation that has been present since infancy and can exten back as far as five years.
Causes of NONRetentive Encopresis
There maybe several reasons or causes for Nonretentive Encopresis.
While 99% of the cases of non retentive encopresis do not have an organic / medical basis, however the 1% of the cases do. Medical reasons such as
- irritable bowel syndrome
- severe ulcerative colitis
- acquired spinal cord disease (i.e. sacral lipoma, spinal cord tumor)
- rectoperineal fistula with imperforate anus
- postsurgical damage to anal sphincter
may be causing your child to withhold his Bowel Movements. These medical reasons can be diagnosed and treated by your child's pediatrician
The other and more likely reasons for nonrententive encopresis are:
- that the child may not be developmentally ready for potty training
- the child may have emotional or behavioral disturbances such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder or Conduct Disorder
- the child refuses to defecate in a toilet because he is afraid.
|
