Constipation in Children – Information for Parents/Carers

Constipation is a very common problem for children. For most children constipation means passing hard stools (poo) with difficulty, less often than normal.

What is constipation?

Constipation in children or babies can include any or all of the following symptoms:

• Straining when passing stools.

• Pain when passing stools, sometimes with a tiny amount of blood in the nappy or on the toilet paper, due to a small tear in the skin of the anus (back passage).

• Passing stools less often than normal.

• Difficulty passing stools.

• Stools that are hard and perhaps very large, or small and pellet-like.

Are there any other symptoms?

Severe constipation can cause impaction (where a very large stool is stuck in the rectum and possibly the colon) which can cause further symptoms. 

This can cause your child to soil their underwear regularly with very soft faeces, or with faecal stained mucus. This is often mistaken by parents as diarrhoea. 

Your child can also have the following:

• Abdominal pain (tummy ache).

• Poor appetite.

• Tiredness.

• Behaviour changes, such as being more irritable or unhappy.

• Fidgeting, restlessness and other signs that they need to go to the toilet.

• Nausea (feeling sick).

• Growth failure (failure to thrive).

What can cause constipation?

There are many causes, such as:

• Not eating enough food with fibre.
• Not drinking enough water.
• Lack of exercise.
• Medication.
• Physical disability.
• Emotional reasons.
• Painful passing of stools.

If your child continues to be constipated, you should contact your GP who may consider referral to the Paediatric Constipation Service.

What will happen while my child is in hospital?

Your child’s doctor will examine their abdomen and you will be asked a number of questions about your child’s health.

If your child’s constipation is not caused by a disease or illness, it is called idiopathic constipation. Tests are not normally needed for idiopathic constipation.

It is important that constipation is treated early to prevent it from becoming a chronic (long term) problem.

Your child may be given some medication before they go home.

Contact numbers

University Hospital of North Tees

Children’s Ward

Telephone: 01642 382815

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Paediatric Day Unit

Telephone: 01642 624530

9.30am to 10.00pm, 7 days a week

Emergency Department

Telephone: 01642 382899

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Further information is available from:

NHS Choices

Telephone: 111 (when it is less urgent than 999)

Calls to this number are free from landlines and mobile phones

or via the website at www.nhs.uk

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]