Encopresis Usually Seen in 5-Year-Old Boys

Üsküdar University NP Feneryolu Medical Center Child Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Neriman Kilit gave information about encopresis in children and the treatment process.

The condition where a child voluntarily or involuntarily defecates to inappropriate places despite reaching the age at which the sphincter muscle should be completed is defined as 'encopresis'. Experts, who state that encopresis is generally seen in boys at a rate of 5 percent in children who have reached the age of 1, and that the seriousness of the situation is not taken into account by the parents, the communication problem between them and the child deepens. Experts point out that encopresis can be seen more frequently in neurodevelopmental disorders such as depression and attention deficit hyperactivity.

Üsküdar University NP Feneryolu Medical Center Child Adolescent Psychiatry Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Neriman Kilit gave information about encopresis in children and the treatment process.

Occurs in children over the age of five

Asst. Assoc. Dr. Neriman Kilit said, “It is generally seen in 1% of children who have reached the age of five, and in boys in general. We can talk about two types of encopresis; Constipation is the one that goes with constipation and goes without constipation. In cases with constipation, it occurs when the stool, which becomes liquid with the deepening of constipation, comes out in the form of overflow. If encopresis continues with constipation, trauma can be seen in the child in the future. This can cause anxiety disorder. In this case, constipation should be eliminated by changing the diet or applying physiological treatment as a treatment method. said.

Parent's attitude deepens communication problem

Talking about the presence of a state of stubbornness if it goes without constipation, Kilit said, “It can be mentioned that the child has a communication problem with the parents and trying to gain superiority over the parents. Communication problems deepen as the parents do not see this as an inconvenience and do not take the seriousness of the situation into account. A child who has no intelligence problems may continue to have this problem in later ages. used the phrases.

More common in neurodevelopmental disorders

Assist. Assoc. Dr. Neriman Kilit said that in order to be diagnosed with encopresis, the child must be over the age of 4 when sphincter control is provided, and the discomfort must occur at least once a month for 3 months.

“Encopresis can be seen more frequently in neurodevelopmental disorders such as depression and attention deficit hyperactivity. It is worth emphasizing that communication is very important in the situation without constipation. The excessive insistence of the parents can lead to more traumatic problems. That is why it is necessary to seek help from an expert.”