The frequency of constipation and it's causes in Iranian children

Childhood constipation is a common problem, accounting for 3% of visits to pediatric clinics and up to 25% of visits to pediatric gastroenterologists. However, little is known about the prevalence of childhood constipation in developing countries and the frequency of its causes. We proposed to determine the frequency and causes of constipation in children presented to a gastroenterology clinic of a teaching pediatric hospital located in Tehran, Iran.

All five hundred and fifty six children referred to a pediatric gastroenterology clinic were evaluated for gastrointestinal problems including difficulties in defecation. After the detection of constipated children, a questionnare was completed including baseline characteristics, physical examination, paraclinic laboratory data and determination of the cause of constipation (organic or non-organic).

Out of all 556 children, constipation was diagnosed in 87 individuals (15.64%). Among children with constipation, 53% were girls and 47% were boys and only in 13% organ problems was the main cause. Urinary incontinence and encopresis were detected in 16.2% and 27% of constipated children, respectively. The prevalence of urinary tract infection in children with constipation was significantly higher in girls than boys (P<0.05).

The results of our study show that the prevalence of constipation among Iranian children is high enough to emphasize it''s importance.