Symptoms & Signs
- Inability to retain feces (bowel incontinence)
- Passing stool in inappropriate places (generally in the child’s clothes)
- Secretive behavior associated with bowel movements
- Constipation and hard stools
- Occasional passage of very large stool that almost blocks up the toilet
Diagnosis & Tests
Digital examination of the rectal area may show a fecal impaction. An abdominal x-ray may confirm impacted stool in the colon.
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Encopresis : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Encopresis : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Encopresis : Treatment
Review Date : 9/13/2009
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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