Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Child Suffering With Constipation And On High Fiber Diet. What Should Be Done?
Question: My son has got over a long standing constipation issue since potty training that he had lactulose for he no longer has hard stools. He now seems to not know that he keeps soiling pants up to 3 times a day. Don't know what to do. He is not quite 4 and I have him on a high fibre diet.
Hi XXXXXXX,
Welcome to XXXXXXX forum.
Let me know the associated symptoms along with watery shit.
Does he has spasmodic abdominal pain/ excessive flatulence/ vomiting/ fever?
Are you still using lactulose ?
What was the cause of persistent hard stool (constipation)?
There may be possibility of acute gastroenteritis as suggested by watery shit and spoiling of pants.
Excessive lactulose dosage may also cause watery shit.
There may also be possibility of Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and it has a typical history of constipation followed by watery shit.
You should consult with pediatric physician/ gastroenterologist and should go for thorough check up.
SIBO is diagnosed by endoscopy along with duodenal aspiration culture.
You should go for lactose free diet means avoid milk and all milk related products such as cheese, butter, yogurt.
You should maintain proper hydration.
Antibiotics must be used only under expert guidance of your treating doctor.
Hope that helps.
Let me know if I can address any more concerns.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Welcome to XXXXXXX forum.
Let me know the associated symptoms along with watery shit.
Does he has spasmodic abdominal pain/ excessive flatulence/ vomiting/ fever?
Are you still using lactulose ?
What was the cause of persistent hard stool (constipation)?
There may be possibility of acute gastroenteritis as suggested by watery shit and spoiling of pants.
Excessive lactulose dosage may also cause watery shit.
There may also be possibility of Small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and it has a typical history of constipation followed by watery shit.
You should consult with pediatric physician/ gastroenterologist and should go for thorough check up.
SIBO is diagnosed by endoscopy along with duodenal aspiration culture.
You should go for lactose free diet means avoid milk and all milk related products such as cheese, butter, yogurt.
You should maintain proper hydration.
Antibiotics must be used only under expert guidance of your treating doctor.
Hope that helps.
Let me know if I can address any more concerns.
Take care,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
He is currently off lactulose. We think he was withholding his stool as he was going for 5 days without a poo. He is very gassy and complains of tummy ache.
Hi,
He is most likely suffering from acute bacterial gastroenteritis.
This pathology has typical history of using washroom but without poo.
Presence of abdominal ache and flatulence suggests the diagnosis.
You should consult with pediatric physician/ gastroenterologist and take proper treatment at right time.
Best regards,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
He is most likely suffering from acute bacterial gastroenteritis.
This pathology has typical history of using washroom but without poo.
Presence of abdominal ache and flatulence suggests the diagnosis.
You should consult with pediatric physician/ gastroenterologist and take proper treatment at right time.
Best regards,
Dr. Mayank Bhargava
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
