My nephew

[gja1000]

I have heard of this sort of thing, but I don't know anything about it. I have heard of it but had to go to the internet and search. I looked for "fecal impaction" which is the closest thing to what I think he had. Here's what I found. It calls it constipation - but it is a severe form.

Constipation in childhood is usually caused by the child’s diet. Excessive milk ingestion, insufficient amount of fluids and inadequate intake of bulk-forming foods are common causes of constipation in children. (1) Other potential causes include poor bowel habits, laxative misuse or underlying medical conditions. (1)

Medical conditions that may cause constipation include; Hypothyroidism, Celiac Disease, Hirschsprung Disease, muscle disorders, endocrine disorders such as Hypothyroidism or Diabetes mellitus, and medication side effects. (2) Medications that are commonly associated with constipation include; analgesics, anticholinergics, calcium channel blockers and stomach preparations containing Aluminum.

In some cases a child can develop constipation due to an anatomical defect such as rectal stenosis. Rectal stenosis is a condition that occurs when a child’s rectal openining is too tight or too small. Because the opening is so small it is very difficult to pass stools and as a result the child becomes constipated. Rectal stenosis can be confirmed by digital examination by a health care professional. (1)

Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia is another potential cause of constipation in children. This occurs when a child fails to learn to properly coordinate the muscle contractions necessary to pass a stool. When a child experiences Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia, the anal sphincter does not contract properly or in some cases, involuntary spasms occur during a bowel movement. This abnormal contraction prevents the stool from being expelled from the body. Signs of Pelvic Floor Dyssynergia include hard stools, fecal impaction, feelings of anal blockage, severe straining, and the need for digital maneuvers. (3)