No abstract available.
Child* ; Constipation* ; Encopresis* ; Humans

Several medications are reported to be effective in treatment of encopresis. However, mechanisms of action related to these drugs are not known. We report a patient with ADHD and encopresis whose encopretic signs have disappeared with long acting methylphenidate while they have not changed with atomoxetine.
Encopresis* ; Humans ; Methylphenidate* ; Atomoxetine Hydrochloride

PURPOSE: Anorectal manometry is a way of investigation for anti-rectal sphincters. In this paper we evaluated the usefulness of anorectal manometry in constipation patients and compared the anal spnincter function in control, constipation and encopresis patients. METHOD: We analysed the data of anorectal function studies in normal children (control, n=11), children with constipation (constipation group, n=20) and children with encopresis (encopresis group, n=16). RESULTS: The specific manometric parameters in normal children were like as follows; external anal sphinter pressure 21.0+/-8.00 mmHg, internal anal sphicter pressure 30.0+/- 14.57 mmHg, conscious rectal sensitivity threshold 11.4+/-4.52 mmHg. The above results were not different from that of previous studies except conscious rectal sensitivity threshold, which was slightly lower than that of others. Internal and external anal sphincter pressure were elevated significantly in constipation and encopresis groups than in control, which results was the same in conscious rectal sensitivity threshold. But the values of rectoanal inhibitory threshold and percent relaxation of rectoanal inhibitory reflex were not different among control group, constipation group and encopresis group. External sphincter activity was increased during the act of bearing down for defecation in none of the child in control group, in 6 of 17 children in constipation group and 5 of 12 children in encopresis group. CONCLUSION: With the results of above we could say that complete history taking and physical examination are important in diagnosis of constipation, and we could say also that the anorectal manometry was a valuable tool to understand the physiology of normal defecation and the pathophysiology of constipation and encopresis.
Anal Canal ; Child* ; Constipation* ; Defecation ; Diagnosis ; Encopresis ; Humans ; Manometry* ; Physical Examination ; Physiology ; Reflex ; Relaxation

PURPOSE: Each ethnic group has a unique life style, including diets. Life style affects bowel movement. The aim of this study is to describe the results of colon transit time (CTT) tests in Korean children who had chronic functional constipation based on highly refined data. METHODS: One hundred ninety (86 males) out of 415 children who performed a CTT test under the diagnosis of chronic constipation according to Rome III criteria at Konkuk University Medical Center from January 2006 through March 2015 were enrolled in this study. Two hundreds twenty-five children were excluded on the basis of CTT test result, defecation diary, and clinical setting. Shapiro-Wilk and Mann-Whitney U, and chi-square tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The median value and interquartile range (IQR) of CTT was 54 (37.5) hours in Encopresis group, and those in non-encopresis group was 40.2 (27.9) hours (p<0.001). The frequency of subtype between non-encopresis group and encopresis was statistically significant (p=0.002). The non-encopresis group (n=154, 81.1%) was divided into normal transit subgroup (n=84, 54.5%; median value and IQR of CTT=26.4 [9.6] hours), outlet obstruction subgroup (n=18, 11.7%; 62.4 [15.6] hours), and slow transit subgroup (n=52, 33.8%; 54.6 [21.0] hours]. The encopresis group (n=36, 18.9%) was divided into normal transit subgroup (n=8, 22.2%; median value and IQR of CTT=32.4 [9.9] hours), outlet obstruction subgroup (n=8, 22.2%; 67.8 [34.8] hours), and slow transit subgroup (n=20, 55.6%; 59.4 [62.7]hours). CONCLUSION: This study provided the basic pattern and value of the CTT test in Korean children with chronic constipation.
Academic Medical Centers ; Child* ; Colon* ; Constipation* ; Defecation ; Diagnosis ; Diet ; Encopresis ; Ethnic Groups ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style

PURPOSE: We aimed to determine the ideal age for initiating toilet training and investigate the factors influencing the training. METHODS: The study population comprised 1,370 children aged 2-6 years, who visited the pediatric clinics in Jeonju, Iksan, and Gunsan. Their parents were given questionnaires in order to gather data about the types of diapers used, ages when toilet training was initiated and completed for each day and night, its adverse effects, and the educational level and employment and economic status of the mothers. RESULTS: The toilet training initiation age was low for those living in the country, having an elder sibling(s), and using cloth diapers, and for those whose mothers were employed and had a low economic status. The training completion age was 22.9 months when the training was initiated before the age of 18 months; this was lower than the training completion ages of 25.9 and 31.0 months when the training was initiated at the age of 18-24 months and after 25 months, respectively. However, the required durations in these cases were 8.4, 5.6, and 3.8 months, respectively. Encopresis and refusal occurred more often when the training was initiated before the age of 18 months than when initiated after this age. CONCLUSION: Toilet training should begin at least after the age of 18 months considering the developmental status of infants. It is recommended for the future researchers to develop specific guidelines regarding toilet training.
Aged ; Child ; Disulfiram ; Employment ; Encopresis ; Humans ; Infant ; Mothers ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Toilet Training

OBJECTIVETo characterize the symptoms of neurogenic intrapelvic syndrome and the pathogenic mechanisms.

METHODSA total of 537 patients with neurogenic intrapelvic syndrome were treated in the Takano Hospital between 2001 and 2005. Clinical data were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSThe mean age was 58.5 years old. There were 205 males and 332 females. There were 80 patients(14.9%) who presented with only one symptom with anorectal pain being the most common one (43.8%, 35/80). One hundred and fifty-six(29.1%) patients had two symptoms with anorectal pain and difficult evacuation being the most common combination (26.3%, 41/156). There were 144 patients (26.8%) complained of 3 symptoms and the most common combination was anorectal pain, difficult evacuation, and abdominal discomfort (30.0%, 43/144). A combination of 4 symptoms was reported in 105 patients(19.6%) with the combination of anorectal pain, incontinence, abdominal discomfort, and lumbar discomfort being the most often(65.7%, 69/105). In addition, there were 52 patients(9.7%) who had above 5 symptoms simultaneously. The frequencies of the 5 symptoms were 73.6% for anorectal pain, 27.9% for incontinence, 69.6% for difficult evacuation, 55.3% for abdominal discomfort, and 53.6% for lumbar discomfort.

CONCLUSIONSSymptomatology of neurogenic intrapelvic syndrome is complicated. The pathogenic mechanism may be related to concurrent dysfunction of sacral nerve and pelvic splanchnic nerve.

Encopresis ; etiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Pain ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Syndrome

The pathophysiology of pediatric encopresis has been incomprehensible. The current study was designed to assess its clinical and physiologic findings. Moreover, outcome of treatment was evaluated. METHODS: The clinical and functional findings of 18 patients (13 boys, 5 girls) were analyzed, retrospectively. Physiologic studies for cooperative child included anal manometry (n=12), cinedefecography (n=3), and PNTML (pudendal nerve terminal motor latency, n=1). For exclusion of the organic cause, barium contrast study was carried out in all case. Patients were categorized by leading symptom as constipation or incontinence. Physiologic findings and outcome of treatment were analyzed based on the categorized groups. Biofeedback therapy by using newly-developed anal sphincter control system (KONTINENCE CLINICAL(TM)) in my institute, was underwent a mean 4.1 (range, 2~12) sessions. The outcome was analyzed in the period of 5.4 (range, 1~33) months follow-up. RESULTS: Patients were categorized as having constipation (group I, n=12) or incontinence (group II, n=6) group. In the manometric parameters, there were no statistical differences between the values of the mean resting pressure (RP), the maximum RP, and the maximum voluntary contraction between group I and II. In the cinedefecography, 3 of group I patients revealed as having the pelvic floor dyssynergia. The findings of PNTML were not specific in group II (n=1). Regarding to the therapeutic outcome, 8 of 10 patients were cured or improved. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in the resting and squeeze profiles of manometric parameters between two groups. However, pelvic floor dyssynergia was identified in the cinedefecography of constipated group. Conventional and biofeedback treatment for encopretic children provides acceptable outcome.
Anal Canal ; Ataxia ; Barium ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Child ; Constipation ; Defecography ; Encopresis* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Manometry ; Pelvic Floor ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The causes of encopresis are complex and multifactorial. Through application of new sophisticated techniques and armamentarium, it has been possible to find more specific aspects of the anorectal function in pediatric patients with refractory defecation disorders. However, quality research of which therapeutic option could be suitable, is still lacking. The current study was designed to assess outcome of treatment according to the treatment algorithm based on the clinical and physiologic findings. METHODS: 22 patients (15 boys, 7 girls) with encopresis were analyzed, retrospectively. For exclusion of the organic cause, barium contrast study and anoscopy were carried out in all cases. Patients were categorized and made treatment algorithm by using leading symptoms and findings of anorectal physiologic tests. Treatment outcomes were analysed in the basis of respective therapeutic options. RESULTS: Patients were categorized as constipation dominant group (n=15) and incontinence dominant group (n=7). Suggested etipathogeneses were as follows; fecal impaction and/or motility disorder (n=7), overflow incontinence (n=6), sensory defect of the rectum (n=4), puborectalis incoordination (n=3), anal hypertonia (n=2). Treatment options were as follows; conventional therapy (CT) only (n=7), CT plus biofeedback (n=9), CT plus balloon sensory retraining (n=4), and CT plus internal sphincterotomy or Nitroglycerine application (n=2). All patients were undertaken a toilet training and psychologic consultation. Regarding to the therapeutic outcome, 19 (86 percent) of overall 22 patients were improved in the mean period of 2.5 (range, 0.1-7) years follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: If therapy could be undertaken according to the optional algorithm based on the clinical and physiologic findings, it could be useful guide for clinical decision making to help the therapy. Moreover, through the combination therapy including medication, psychological consultation, and biofeedback treatment, encopretic children achieve acceptable outcome with a long-term compliance.
Ataxia ; Barium ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; Child ; Compliance ; Constipation ; Decision Making ; Defecation ; Encopresis* ; Fecal Impaction ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Nitroglycerin ; Rectum ; Retrospective Studies ; Toilet Training ; Treatment Outcome*

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical features and factors contributing to treatment outcome for chronic functional constipation in children. METHODS: We analyzed the medical records of patients with constipation, who visited the inpatient or outpatient clinic of the Department of Pediatrics of Pusan National University Hospital, between January 1998 and December 2007. The clinical features, outcomes, and factors affecting the treatment response according to the main drug (lactulose vs. PEG 4000) were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Two hundred forty children (142 males and 98 females) were enrolled in this study. The mean age was 51.2+/-37.9 months. The duration of symptoms was 32.6+/-33.7 months. The accompanying symptoms were as follows: encopresis, 91 (30.4%); abdominal pain, 76 (31.6%); and blood-tinged stool, 37 (15.4%). The treatment response was achieved earlier in females (p<0.001), patients with accompanying symptoms (p<0.05), and patients treated with PEG 4000 (p=0.001). The duration of symptoms (p<0.05) and stool frequency before treatment (p<0.05) were related to a delayed treatment response. Relapse occurred in 7 children, all of whom were treated successfully later. CONCLUSION: Factors contributing to treatment response are female gender, accompanying symptoms, duration of symptoms, and stool frequency before treatment. PEG 4000 is superior to lactulose in response time and taken into consideration as a primary drug for the treatment of functional constipation of children. Early treatment and sufficient treatment time may also be important factors to achieve an early response and prevent relapse.
Abdominal Pain ; Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Child ; Constipation ; Encopresis ; Female ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Lactulose ; Male ; Medical Records ; Pediatrics ; Reaction Time ; Recurrence ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: There are no published prevalence estimates of elimination disorders and their association with disruptive-behavior disorders among children in the Asian region using standardized diagnostic interviews. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of elimination disorders and its association with disruptive-behavior disorders in a representative sample of children in Seoul, Korea. METHODS: The diagnosis of enuresis and encopresis was derived from parent-reported data for "enuresis and encopresis," collected using the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, from a representative sample of 6- to 12-year-old children (n=1,645) who participated in the 2005 Seoul Child and Adolescent Mental Health Survey. Prevalence data for attention deficit and disruptive-behavior disorders were collected from the same sample. RESULTS: The overall 12-month prevalence of nocturnal enuresis and encopresis was 1.8% and 0.6%, respectively. Enuresis and encopresis prevalence in boys was significantly greater than that in girls. Enuresis and encopresis was most common at 7 to 9 years of age. Enuresis was significantly associated with ADHD (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.9) and conduct disorder (CD; OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.0-22.4). CONCLUSION: Enuresis is significantly associated with ADHD and CD, so these conditions must be assessed together during the evaluation of children with enuresis.
Adolescent ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity* ; Child ; Comorbidity ; Conduct Disorder* ; Diagnosis ; Elimination Disorders ; Encopresis ; Enuresis ; Humans ; Mental Health ; Nocturnal Enuresis* ; Prevalence