ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION The underlying causes, methods of evaluation, and treatment differ greatly for children with pelvic floor dysfunction when compared with those of adults. Unlike adults the main issue with the pediatric sphincter and pelvic floor is lack of relaxation with voiding and defecation. This can lead to life-threatening complications that are exceedingly rare in adults. Only in unusual cases, in whom severe neurological abnormalities lead to denervation, or congenital anatomical abnormalities are present, is the flaccid sphincter and pelvic floor the underlying cause of stool and bowel incontinence in children.
