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Encopresis, Pediatric

Jay Fong, MD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Repeated unintentional soiling of underwear

  • Most commonly associated with functional constipation with stool retention and subsequent overflow incontinence:

    • 80–90% cases of encopresis ...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Toileting habits:

    • Constipation: frequency and size of bowel movements (Large-diameter bowel movements are common in children with encopresis associated with functional constipation.)

    • Bo...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Evidence suggests fecal disimpaction can be equally achieved with either oral polyethylene glycol (PEG) (with or without electrolytes at 1 to 1.5 g/kg/24 h) for 3 to 6 days of enem...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • First follow-up visit is at 2 weeks to ensure compliance and success with the initial management.

  • If the fecal impaction has been successfully re...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Burgers RB, Benninga MA. Functional nonretentive fecal incontinence in children: a frustrating and long-lasting clinical entity. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  2009;48(Suppl 2)...

CODES

ICD9

  • 787.60 Full incontinence of feces

  • 307.7 Encopresis

ICD10

  • R15.9 Full incontinence of feces

  • F98.1 Encopresis not due to a substance or known physiol condition

SNOMED

  • 302690004 Encopresis (disorder)

  • 3...

FAQ

  • Q: Is it possible to become “addicted” to laxative medicines?

  • A: Stool softeners, rather than cathartic laxatives or per rectal therapies, are chosen for long-term therapy because the colon does no...

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