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Encopresis

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• Symptoms
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Definition:

Encopresis is the voluntary or involuntary passage of stools causing soiling of clothes by a child over 4 years of age. Otherwise known as overflow incontinence, encopresis results from chronic constipation.

See also bowel incontinence .

Alternative Names:

Soiling; Incontinence - stool

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Encopresis can be divided into two groups. The first in which there is a physiologic basis for the encopresis, the second in which there seems to be an emotional basis.

1. Encopresis frequently is associated with constipation and fecal impaction. Often, hard fecal material is retained in the colon, with a passage of soft or semi-liquid stool around the impacted stool. This problem is not under the conscious control of the child. Leakage of stool may occur during the day or night. There are rarely physical causes other than constipation (sometimes present since infancy).
2. Other causes may be related to a lack of toilet training or training at too early an age or an emotional disturbance such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder or a Conduct Disorder.

Whatever the cause the child may develop associated shame, guilt, or loss of self-esteem. The child may try to hide the discovery of the problem. The incidence is not well documented but is thought to be about 1 percent. Risk factors include male gender, low socioeconomic status, and chronic constipation.

• Review Date: 8/23/2005
• Reviewed By: John Goldenring, MD, MPH, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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