What to do in case of constipation in children? A simple constipation without organic cause in small children can be treated with gruel, fruit, vegetables and lactose or malt extract (from 6 months). In addition, abdominal massages are useful to stimulate intestinal movement.
In older children, the diet should contain a lot of dietary fiber, for example in the form of fruit, dried plums or figs, wholemeal bread or brown bread. Which could also interest you: Enema milk should be replaced by yogurt. Linseed or wheat bran can also be given to children from the age of two.
Constipating foods (bananas, carrots, chocolate, cakes, white flour products) should be avoided. A lot of exercise is also important. If this nutritional therapy fails, it is possible to administer kerosene oil, milk sugar (lactulose), medication to stimulate intestinal movements (prokinetics) or stool softeners (Macrogol).
Furthermore, an enema can be taken to treat constipation. Psychological reasons as the cause of constipation can be controlled by educating (the parents) about stool habits and toilet training. This training consists of asking the child to go to the toilet after meals, suitable conditions (toilet seat), short times (maximum ten minutes), prevention of constipation and reward for successful defecation.
In the case of intestinal obstruction due to a mechanical obstacle, the therapeutic goal is to remove this obstacle. At the beginning of the symptoms, this can be attempted conservatively by placing a stomach tube to relieve the abdomen and against vomiting and pain. In some cases, the intestine can be stimulated with medication (parasympathomimetics = neostigmine, pyridostigmine).
In the case of invagination, a hydrostatic reduction of the invaginated bowel can be attempted using a contrast enema, whereby the pressure of the fluid injected into the anus pushes the bowel back to its original position. In most cases, however, surgery is required to control the intestinal obstruction. Motility disorders resulting from a megacolon or hypogangliosis are also treated surgically by removing the affected section of the intestine (resection). Hypothyroidism as a cause of constipation is treated with hormone substitution (levothyroxine), vitamin D excess with a low-calcium diet, drug increase of water excretion and other drugs (calcitonin, cholestyramine).
