Constipation occurs in approximately 5% to 10% of children; it accounts for 3% of visits to the pediatric outpatient clinic and 25% of visits to a pediatric gastroenterologist. Defined as difficulty in passing stools; passing hard, dry, or unusually large stools; or infrequent defecation, constipation is sometimes associated with pain and a feeling of incomplete evacuation. The normal frequency of bowel movements has been characterized for infants and children as follows: Newborns have, on average, four stools per day the first week of life, with frequency decreasing to 1.7 and 1.2 stools per day around ages 2 and 4, respectively. Infrequent defecation can be defined as fewer than three stools per week; however, stool frequency varies according to the individual. Parents should try to recognize an increase or a decrease … Read entire article »