Prevalence rates for constipation and faecal and urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence rates for constipation and faecal and urinary incontinence in children attending primary care clinics in the United States. METHODS: Retrospective review of case records of all children, 4-17 years of age, seen for at least one health maintenance visit during a 6 month period and followed from birth or within the first 6 months of age in our clinics. We reviewed all charts for constipation, faecal incontinence and urinary incontinence. RESULTS: We included 482 children in the study, after excluding 39 children with chronic diseases. The prevalence rate for constipation was 22.6% and was similar in boys and girls. The constipation was functional in 18% and acute in 4.6%. The prevalence rate for faecal incontinence (> or =1/week) was 4.4%. The faecal incontinence was associated with constipation in 95% of our children. The prevalence rate for urinary incontinence was 10.5%; 3.3% for daytime only, 1.8% for daytime with night-time and 5.4% for night-time urinary incontinence. Faecal and urinary incontinence were significantly more commonly observed in children with constipation than in children without constipation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence rates were 22.6% for constipation, 4.4% for faecal incontinence and 10.5% for urinary incontinence in a US primary care clinic. Children with constipation had higher prevalence rates for faecal and urinary incontinence than children without constipation. Boys with constipation had higher rates of faecal incontinence than girls with constipation.     

Faecal incontinence in childhood: A multidisciplinary approach including biofeedback

Abstract One hundred and seven children with faecal incontinence were evaluated and managed over a 3 year period by a multidisciplinary team. After initial clinical assessment, evaluation of defaecatory mechanisms (using a balloon model) and assessment of personal-social development and self-concept were undertaken. Management was based on initial bowel evacuation, short-term laxatives, and habit training involving systematic use of positive reinforcement; 69 children received biofeedback conditioning. Idiopathic megacolon with constipation and soiling was the most common finding (98 cases). Other diagnoses included previously undiagnosed neurogenic bowel (three cases), post-surgical anal anomalies (four cases), and psychogenic encopresis (two cases). Idiopathic megacolon was characterized by decreased rectal sensation, increased threshold for external sphincter relaxation and an inability to evacuate. Faecal incontinence was associated with an undesirably low social self-concept (70% of the 40 evaluated), but was not related to a delay in development (mean general developmental quotient = 105 ± 8, for the 35 tested). Family psychopathology warranting referral for family therapy was found in 14 children (13%). The management programme yielded a short-term (3 months) cure rate of 68% and a long-term (12 months) cure rate of 90%, with 10% having continued soiling which varied from occasional to several incidents/week. No significant improvement in self-concept was observed overall, although marked improvements were observed in some children. We conclude that disordered defaecatory dynamics are a major determinant of faecal incontinence in children. Undesirably low social self-concepts but normal developmental ability accompany this condition. Management is facilitated by a multidisciplinary approach, acknowledging the role of both behavioural and physiological components of the problem. This approach is effective in eradicating soiling in the majority of cases, comparing favourably with other published data.     

Multidisciplinary behavioural treatment of fecal incontinence and constipation after correction of anorectal malformation

Background  Fecal incontinence and constipation are major problems after correction of anorectal malformation (ARM), caused not only by the somatic defects but also by a psychosomatic dysfunction of defecation. To better release patients from this dysfunction we offered a multidisciplinary, psycho-and physiotherapeutic therapy according to an approach developed in Nijmegen (Netherlands). We herein summarize the preliminary results to evaluate whether the approach can be adopted with similar success. Methods  Since January 2002 multidisciplinary behavioural treatment (MBT) has been offered to children above 3 years of age and suffering from fecal incontinence and constipation after surgical correction of ARM in our department or elsewhere. Prerequisites included no anal stenosis, regulation of stool consistency, and a suitable defecation diary over 2 weeks. MBT contained regular consultations by a pediatric psychologist and a physiotherapist, teaching the child to establish a regular defecation pattern and how to push while relaxing the pelvic floor. The entry-and post-treatment situation was prospectively monitored by means of defecation and constipation scoring systems. Results  Complete data were available in 10 patients (9 males, 1 female) with high (8 patients) and low (2) forms of anal atresia initially, who finished MBT 2–36 months ago (mean: 13 months). The average amount of stool reaching the toilet was 27% before and 90% after therapy. Clean days were absent before, reaching 3.7 days on average after therapy. Constipation was present in 6 patients before (3 of them on enemas) and in 2 after therapy (no enemas needed). The duration of MBT was 7 months on average, range 3–23 months, with 8–9 sessions per patient, each lasting 60–90 minutes. An observation period of 7 months after treatment confirmed stable results. MBT turned out to improve body-consciousness and self-confidence. Conclusions  MBT is effective in reducing incontinence and constipation in patients after ARM. It helps the children and their families to relieve psychosocial stress. The approach can be successfully adopted, if a team of committed specialists is available and sufficient compliance of patients and families is given. compliance of patients and families is given.     

Quality of life in neurologically healthy children with urinary incontinence

AIM: To bring forward the arguments for active treatment of urine incontinence in otherwise healthy children, a quality-of-life (QoL) study was performed. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A self-rating QoL questionnaire, child-adjusted and validated, was completed by 120 neurologically healthy children, aged 6-16 y, with urinary incontinence. Another 239 age-matched children made up a control group. The two groups were compared both totally and in age-related subgroups (6-8, 9-12, >12 y) concerning the index for all questions, for universal parts (without questions dealing with incontinence) as well as for specific key domains. RESULTS: The patient group had a significantly lower index than the control group both with and without items related to incontinence (p<0.0001). Social situation, self-esteem and self-confidence were most influenced, particularly in the youngest children. Thirty-one children (13%) of the control group reported incontinence and did not score their QoL as good as their continent peers but better than the study patients. CONCLUSION: From the quality-of-life aspects, the study supports active treatment of urinary incontinence in children already at younger ages.     

A 20-year study of persistence of lower urinary tract symptoms and urinary incontinence in young women treated in childhood

ObjectiveTo determine whether urinary incontinence (UI) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) persist over years, patients treated for UI and LUTS in childhood were re-evaluated in adulthood.Materials and methodsForty-seven women (cases) treated in childhood for daytime UI/LUTS (group A) and nocturnal enuresis (group B) self-completed (average age: 24.89 ± 3.5 years) the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire for Female with LUTS (ICIQ-FLUTS). ICIQ-FLUTS was self-administered to 111 healthy women (average age: 23 ± 5.1 years) from a nursing school as a control group. Data obtained from ICIQ-FLUTS and quality of life (QoL) score (0–10) were compared (Fisher's exact test) between patients and controls, and between group A (n = 28) and group B (n = 19).ResultsPrevalence of LUTS was higher in patients than in controls. The difference between patients and controls was statistically significant (p = 0.0001) for UI (34% vs. 7%) and feeling of incomplete bladder emptying (49% vs. 28%). QoL score was >5 in 59% of patients and 1% of controls (p = 0.0001). No significant differences were found between groups A and B.ConclusionsUI and LUTS are confirmed in young women who suffered for the same condition in childhood. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess if these symptoms persist or are newly onset.     

Central nervous system processing of emotions in children with faecal incontinence

Aim: Faecal incontinence (FI) is a common disorder involving both the enteric (ENS) and central nervous systems (CNS). The aim of the study is to analyze neurophysiologically the central processing of emotions in children with FI, healthy controls and children with Attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods: Fourteen children with FI and constipation, nine with non‐retentive FI, 15 controls and 13 children with ADHD were examined. The methods included a physical exam, sonography, Child Behavior Checklist, a psychiatric interview and intelligence test. Acoustic evoked potentials were recorded according to standardized methodology. For the event‐related potentials, 80 neutral, 40 positive and 40 negative pictures from the International Affective Picture System (IAPS), and 40 pictures depicting faeces were presented. Results: Children with FI had significantly more intense responses for most stimuli over the frontal, central and parietal regions compared to controls. Stool pictures did not evoke stronger responses than other stimuli. Children with constipation elicited stronger responses. Children with ADHD did not differ from controls. Acoustic evoked potentials were comparable in all groups. Conclusions: Children with FI have increased responses in the processing of emotions. These can be interpreted as a neurobiological vulnerability, possibly due to the association of the ENS and CNS.     

Urinary and faecal incontinence: a population-based study

AIM: To investigate the coexistence of urine and faecal incontinence in Swedish schoolchildren. METHODS: Cohort study of all schoolchildren in the first and fourth grades in the city of Eskilstuna. A questionnaire was used, in which parents reported the prevalence of urine and faecal incontinence for their children. with a response rate of 67%. Data were analysed with multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Daytime urinary incontinence (at least once a month) was reported in 6.3% of the first graders and 4.3% of the fourth graders, while bedwetting (at least once a month) was reported in 7.1% and 2.7% and faecal incontinence in 9.8% and 5.6%, respectively. Daytime urinary incontinence was strongly associated with faecal incontinence; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 7.2 (p < 0.001) as well as with bedwetting; OR 4.1 (p < 0.001), whereas faecal incontinence and bedwetting lacked a significant association (OR 1.2). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that soiling and daytime urinary incontinence often coexist in Swedish schoolchildren. Collaborative treatment strategies with gastroenterological and urological content need to be developed for these children.     

盆底肌训练治疗小儿肌原性大便失禁的临床评价

目的 评价盆底肌训练治疗小儿肌原性大便失禁的临床效果.方法 2002～2005年间选择两院大便失禁患儿28例,男19例,女9例,年龄4～12岁,其中肛门闭锁术后23例,先天性巨结肠术后5例,临床评分在3～4分之间.肛门直肠测压结果表明全部病例直肠感觉正常,肛管静息压和收缩压低,收缩压在80 mm Hg以上.应用生物反馈仪行肛门括约肌及盆底肌训练2周,1次/d,30 min/次,2周后嘱患儿在家中进行盆底肌肉收缩训练,1年后随访.所有患儿训练前、训练2周后及训练后1年行肛门测压,并进行临床评分.结果 5例患儿不能配合而放弃治疗.其余23例训练2周后肛门收缩压、持续收缩时间和肛门功能临床评分均明显提高,而肛管静息压无变化.1年后14例(A组)能坚持训练的患儿,肛门功能进一步提高,肛管静息压也较前增加,9例(B组)未能坚持训练回复到训练前的水平.结论 盆底肌训练对小儿大便失禁有良好的疗效.盆底肌肉的训练应该长期坚持,才能保持疗效.     

功能性便秘流行病学调查及临床分析

目的 调查小儿功能性便秘(FC)的发病率，探讨其临床特征。方法 采用整群调查方法，符合FC诊断者纳入观察对象；对确诊为FC患儿进行临床分析。结果 1．2～14岁1001名儿童中FC共38例，本组FC发病率为3．8％；城区发病率为4．65％，农村2．38％(yz＝2．48P＜0．05)，城区患病明显高于农村；男童FC患病率2．73％，女童4．07％(yz＝275．8lP＜0．001)；各年龄组患病率无差异；2．本组FC患儿排干硬条状成形便占74％，球形硬便占13％。82％患儿等待自行排便，多数家长未采用解除便秘措施；经常进行排便练习的患儿仅占5．26％；精神欠佳者占26％，腹痛者占21％，伴轻度营养障碍者60％，食欲欠佳及厌食占34％和21％，FC患儿很少进食水果及蔬菜者分别占42％及37％，喜甜食及肉食者为40％及53％。结论 1．本次调查小儿FC发病率为3．8％，城区高于农村，女童高于男童；2．FC患儿生活质量及生长发育受一定影响，应予以关注；3．FC患儿饮食结构有偏差。     

反射亢进型神经源性尿失禁的外科治疗及康复训练

目的：探讨反射亢进型神经源性尿失禁的外科治疗及康复训练方法。方法：于1992年1月至2000年10月治疗81例反射亢进型神经源性尿失禁患儿，男54例，女27例，年龄4～14岁，术前检查均证实盆底肌松弛，膀胱容量较小。采用双侧髂腰肌加强盆底肌，回肠去粘膜带血管蒂浆肌层补片的基础上，行膀胱扩大术进行治疗，其中5例行锤状肌膀胱颈悬吊。结果：81例随访6个月～7年，尿失禁症状明显改善63例，术后经过严格的训练有改善的18例。但其中2例效果较差。结论：双侧髂腰肌加强盆底肌，回肠去粘膜带血管蒂浆肌层补片加强膀胱逼尿肌基础上行膀胱扩大术是治疗小儿反射亢进型神经源性尿失禁的较好方法，术后必须进行正规的康复功能训练。