ABSTRACT
We think that the majority of faecal incontinence difficulties that present to professionals have a strong physiological component, which needs full attention for there to be any success with management. Faecal incontinence can cause considerable distress to child and parents: be sympathetic and attentive to the problem. The majority of children presenting with faecal incontinence have chronic constipation. Faecal incontinence can be divided into organic and functional groups. Organic faecal incontinence results from an organic disease such as neurological damage. Functional faecal incontinence can be subdivided into constipation-associated incontinence and non-retentive faecal incontinence. Constipation-associated incontinence is by far the commonest cause of faecal incontinence. If the simple strategies on their own do not help the child, or constipation is clearly indicated at the initial assessment, the child will need referral to a general practitioner or paediatrician for medication to treat the constipation.
