Constipation, Age 11 and Younger

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

If your child has any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.

• Fever: Go to the topic Fever, Age 3 and Younger or Fever, Age 4 and Older.
• Sharp or severe abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger. To evaluate the severity of your child's pain, see evaluating pain in children age 3 and younger.
• Vomiting: Go to the topic Vomiting, Age 3 and Younger or Nausea and Vomiting, Age 4 and Older.

Yes	Does your child have rectal bleeding?
Yes	Do you think that your child's constipation may be caused by physical or sexual abuse?
Yes	Does your child have new constipation?
Yes	Does your child have rectal pain?
Yes	Do you think your child's constipation may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Does your child have persistent constipation (chronic constipation)?
Yes	Is your toilet-trained child leaking liquid or loose stool into his or her underwear?

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: December 14, 2006
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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