Nonretentive Encopresis and Toilet Training Process Refusal

An inappropriate soiling without evidence of fecal constipation and retention is referred to as “nonretentive encopresis. Signs and symptoms of nonretentive encopresis include:

• Soiling accompanied by daily bowel movements that are normal in size and consistency

There is rarely an identifiable organic cause for nonretentive encopresis. A medical assessment is usually normal. A full developmental and behavioral assessment is necessary to determine if the child is ready for intervention to correct encopresis. The assessment is also necessary to identify any barriers to success of correcting encopresis, particularly disruptive behavior problems.

Successful therapy depends upon:

• The presence of soft, comfortable bowel movementsn • Addressing toilet refusal behavior

Before therapy:

• Daily scheduled positive toilet sits are recommendedn • Incentives to reinforce successful defecation during these sitsn • A plan for management of stool withholding agreed on by parents/caretakers and the family physicia

Encopresis affects boys more than girls and may go undetected unless health professionals directly inquire about toileting habits.

About 80 to 95 percent of encopresis cases involve fecal constipation and retention. It is estimated that encopresis in which fecal retention is not a primary etiologic component is under-represented in the literature. Most of the time, children with the latter condition have daily, normal size and consistency bowel movements. Terms used to describe this problem include:

• Functional encopresisn • Primary nonretentive encopresisn • Stool toileting refusal

There are four subgroups these children may be further divided into:

• Those who fail to obtain initial bowel trainingn • Those who exhibit toilet “phobia”n • Those who use soiling to “manipulate” their environmentn • Those who have irritable bowel syndrome

Behavioral characteristics and toileting dynamics of children with nonrententive encopresis are well described; however, few specific treatment guidelines are available for family physicians.

Research of retentive encopresis

Over the past 20 years the treatment of retentive encopresis has progressed impressively, however, less attention has been paid to the 5 to 20 percent of cases in which constipation is not contributory, or where a child refuses the toilet-training process.

Evaluation for retentive encorpresis

In most cases, the family physician is who first identifies the problem of retentive encopresis and provides an intervention. If the problem is due to the child not being mature enough for toilet training, waiting until the child matures is the sensible answer. Many times, a lack of maturity is not the cause, but it is a child who is behaviorally resistant or parents who need information on effective behavior management or toilet-training techniques.

Possible causes for retentive encorpresis

The cause for a child’s resistance must be identified first. When the cause is determined, specific therapy can be started.

1. If the problem is related to a skill deficit such as opening the bathroom door, seating self on toilet or wiping then teaching and reinforcement of those skills the child lacks is preferred to passive waiting.

2. If the child is noncompliant with adult instructions, the physician may refer the family to a pediatric psychologist familiar with compliance training techniques.

In either of the two above cases, without active intervention, a strong-willed child may refuse toilet training and create unnecessary stress on the parent-child relationship, which may in turn increase the risk of abuse.

If you have a toddler who exhibits any of the characteristics of retentive encorpresis consult with your toddler’s pediatrician for an appropriate evaluation and treatment plan.

Source: American Academy of Family Physicians

Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine.

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