Functionele gastro-intestinale ziektebeelden op de kinderleeftijd. III. Obstipatie en solitaire encopresis; diagnostiek en therapie

-A detailed medical history in combination with a thorough physical examination, including rectal examination, form the cornerstone in the diagnostic work-up for children with functional defecation disorders.

-Additional investigations are often not informative and have only minor diagnostic or therapeutic implications.

-Medical therapy in children with functional constipation and solitary encopresis is primarily based on clinical experience. In both patient groups, the role of education, the use of diary cards and toilet training is important. In some patients behaviour interventions are important.

-Oral laxatives are the basis of treatment of children with functional constipation, whereas they are contra-indicated in children with solitary encopresis.

-In both groups, biofeedback training appears to be of little additional benefit.

-Long-term follow-up of children with functional defecation disorders shows that complaints continue far beyond puberty in many children.