Severe juvenile chronic constipation

Constipation in the paediatric population is common and encompasses a spectrum of organic and functional pathology which differ from that of the adult population. Recently an expert group published a comprehensive system of classification of childhood functional gastrointestinal disorders that may have useful clinical application. We present the case of an adolescent schoolgirl with severe constipation with extreme anorectal, urological and neurological sequelae who displayed inappropriate behavioral response to her condition. The patient appeared inappropriately unmotivated and undisturbed by the severity of her constipation. This abnormal psychological habituation and adaptation to an abnormal bowel habit perpetuated the constipation. In addition, we examined the role of recent advances in anorectal investigation techniques and treatment in the context of the recent guidelines issued by the American Gastroenterological Association