Rectal prolapse in autistic children

Rectal prolapse in children is not uncommon, but surgery is rarely indicated. In mentally challenged adults and children, rectal prolapse occurs more frequently than in the general population and often requires surgical intervention in the second to third decade of life. The authors describe 3 children with autism and mental retardation who presented with rectal prolapse at an earlier age than would be anticipated with mental retardation alone. All 3 children required surgical intervention.