Constipation,Age 11 and Younger - Check Your Symptoms
If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.
Review
health risks that may increase the seriousness of your
child's symptoms.
Has your child age 6 months or older passed a large amount of blood in the stool (enough to leave a red stain on his or her diaper or to turn the water in the toilet bowl red)?
Has your child age 6 months or older passed two or more stools containing a moderate amount of blood (enough to leave a pinkish stain on his or her diaper or to turn the water in the toilet bowl pink)?
Has your baby younger than 6 months passed a stool with a streak of blood on it or on a diaper more than one time, and a doctor has not evaluated this problem?
Did your child's constipation begin after taking a medicine?Note: If your answer is "Yes ":Before your child's next dose (the same day), call the doctor who prescribed the medicine to see whether your child should stop taking the medicine or take a different one. An appointment may not be needed.If you gave your child a medicine not prescribed by a doctor (nonprescription), stop giving the medicine. If you feel your child needs to take the medicine, call your doctor.
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Does your child have constipation and:Leaks formed or liquid stool into his or her underwear andIs unable to correct the problem when it is brought to his or her attention?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
Call your health professional immediately.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may need immediate care. Call your health professional now to discuss your symptoms and arrange for your care.
Symptoms are likely to worsen without medical care.
If you do not have a health professional, seek emergency care.
Emergency transportation is not needed. However, if you are not able to travel safely either by driving yourself or having someone else drive you, call an ambulance.
You do not need to answer any of the other questions.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you need to call your health professional to discuss your symptoms and arrange for care.
An appointment today is usually needed.
Symptoms are unlikely to improve without medical care.
Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.
You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours.
You have answered "Yes" to a question that indicates you may wait to see if your symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or the specified time period). If symptoms improve, no appointment is needed.
If symptoms do not improve after 24 hours (or the specified time period), an appointment within the next 24 hours is usually needed.
If appropriate, try home treatment to relieve your symptoms.
Check your symptoms in 24 hours, or sooner if there is any change.
Call your health professional if symptoms get worse.
Return to the Check Your Symptoms section and answer the questions. You may need to see a health professional sooner if you have other more serious symptoms.
If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
Last Updated:
November 03, 2008
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor.
Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this
information.
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