Specialty Constipation Clinic
What is Constipation in Children?
Constipation is a common childhood problem where a child has infrequent, hard, or painful bowel movements. It can be due to diet, behaviour, or underlying medical conditions and often causes frustration for both children and caregivers.
Most cases of constipation in children can be managed with simple lifestyle changes such as increasing fibre and fluid intake, encouraging regular toilet habits, and promoting physical activity. In some children, medications or further medical evaluation may be needed, especially if constipation is persistent, severe, or associated with symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, poor weight gain, or bleeding. Early treatment helps prevent discomfort and long-term bowel problems.
Common Complaints
Does This Sound Like Your Child?
Many parents visit us saying:
“My child has an injury near the anus with bleeding after passing hard stools.”
“My child passes stools only once in 4–5 days, and it’s very hard.”
“My child eats properly only on the day he passes stools.”
“My child doesn’t eat anything, so we mostly give milk.”
“My child refuses to sit on the toilet.”
“My child doesn’t pass stool at one time, but little amounts every few hours.”
“Relatives or grandparents keep giving biscuits and chocolates.”
If these situations feel familiar, your child may be struggling with functional constipation, a very common and treatable condition.
What We Do at the Constipation Clinic
Our specialised Constipation Clinic provides focused evaluation and personalised management. Care begins with recognising whether the problem is due to routine diet and behaviour patterns (functional constipation) or an underlying medical condition (e.g., Hirschsprung’s disease or other gut nerve abnormalities).
How We Help
Thorough Assessment: Review of symptoms, stool patterns, diet, and toileting behaviour
Diet & Lifestyle Guidance: Advice on fibre intake, fluids, routine, and healthy toilet habits
Behavioural Support: Strategies to encourage regular bowel habits and reduce stool withholding
Medical Management: If needed, appropriate use of stool softeners or laxatives
Further Evaluation: Investigation for less common causes when indicated by symptoms
This approach ensures each child gets the right treatment for lasting improvement.