Rectal Prolapse in Children
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Rectal Prolapse in Children
Are too hardAre difficult to get outHappen fewer than 3 times a weekDiarrhea " пїЅ This means the child's bowel movements:- Are watery or runny - Happen more than 3 times a day
Problems with the brain or spinal cord " пїЅ The spinal cord is the highway of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body. It runs through the spine (also called the backbone). Problems with the brain or spinal cord weaken the muscles near the rectum. Conditions that can lead to rectal prolapse include:- Spina bifida " пїЅ This condition happens when a baby's spine does not grow normally before birth. - Brain and spinal cord injuries " пїЅ These are usually caused by bad car crashes or falls.
Cystic fibrosis " пїЅ This disease causes thick mucus and other fluids to build up and clog different parts of the body. Children with cystic fibrosis can have frequent lung infections. They also can have large, bulky bowel movements. What are the symptoms of rectal prolapse in children? " пїЅ The main symptom is bright red tissue sticking out of the anus. The tissue might have mucus or blood. Rectal prolapse is not usually painful but can be uncomfortable. The tissue might stay outside the anus or move back inside the body. пїЅ пїЅ
Is there a test for rectal prolapse? " пїЅ No. But your child's doctor or nurse should be able to tell if your child has the condition by doing an exam. If the tissue has moved back inside your child's body, you can describe the tissue to the doctor. This can help the doctor know if the child has rectal prolapse. пїЅ пїЅ
How is rectal prolapse treated? " пїЅ The doctor will push the rectal tissue back into the child's anus with a gloved finger. Some children need medicines to make them relaxed and sleepy before the doctor does this. The doctor can also teach parents how to push the tissue back if it comes out again. пїЅ пїЅ
If this treatment does not work or the problem keeps coming back, the child might need surgery. пїЅ пїЅ
Other treatments can help prevent rectal prolapse from happening again. The treatment depends on what caused the prolapse the first time. пїЅ пїЅ
Your child's doctor might also give your child medicines that soften bowel movements, such as PEG (polyethylene glycol 3350, sample brand name MiraLAX). пїЅ пїЅ
Children with diarrhea need treatment for the cause of the diarrhea. Most of the time, diarrhea is caused by an infection or is a side effect from a medicine. пїЅ пїЅ
Children with rectal prolapse who do not have an obvious cause should be tested for cystic fibrosis. Children who already have cystic fibrosis can take medicines called "pancreatic enzymes. " пїЅ These help make the child's bowel movements more regular. пїЅ пїЅ
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ
Release: 22.8 - C22.206 пїЅ пїЅ
пїЅ пїЅ 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ
- Are watery or runny
- Happen more than 3 times a day
- Spina bifida " пїЅ This condition happens when a baby's spine does not grow normally before birth.
- Brain and spinal cord injuries " пїЅ These are usually caused by bad car crashes or falls.
- Eat a diet that has lots of fruits and vegetables
- Sit on the toilet for 5 or 10 minutes after meals, if he or she is potty trained. Parents can give rewards just for sitting there.
- Stop potty training for a while, if he or she is in the middle of potty training
Diagram of the colon and rectum
This figure shows the different parts of the colon (also known as the large intestine), the rectum, and the anus.
Graphic 58531 Version 6.0
Diagram of the colon and rectum
This figure shows the different parts of the colon (also known as the large intestine), the rectum, and the anus.
Graphic 58531 Version 6.0