Encopresis Care

Shriners Children's provides specialty care for children with encopresis.

The goal of our colorectal and gastrointestinal specialty services is to provide children with anal-rectal disorders advanced care and rehabilitation that frees them from social stigma and allows them to live and play like other children.

What is Encopresis?

Encopresis is constipation caused when impacted stool collects in the colon and rectum. Encopresis typically occurs in children with the ability to toilet train, but who have developed severe, chronic constipation, which leads to stools that are infrequent or hard to pass. It can also occur in children with anatomical abnormalities that lead to developing constipation. While most of these children have the ability to control their bowel movements, they become so constipated that stool impacts and then overflows.

What Are the Symptoms of Encopresis?

• Leakage of stool or liquid stool on underwear, which can be mistaken for diarrhea
• Constipation with dry, hard stool
• Passage of large stool that clogs or almost clogs the toilet
• Avoidance of bowel movements
• Long periods of time between bowel movements
• Lack of appetite
• Stomach pain
• Problems with daytime wetting or bedwetting (enuresis)
• Repeated bladder infections, typically in girls

How We Care For Encopresis

Treatment is focused on preventing constipation and can be done through diet and medications. In some cases a bowel management program can be used to identify the correct medication dosage, and rarely, in very severe cases, surgery may be needed to help normalize bowel function and help prevent soiling.

The good news is that with patience, encouragement and the right treatment, most children can develop good bowel control and live normal lives.

We provide follow-up care to monitor your child’s health, prevent problems, manage symptoms and give your child the best quality of life.

Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.