Related Experiment Videos
Children who hide while defecating before they have completed toilet training: a prospective study
Bruce Taubman1, Nathan J Blum, Nicole Nemeth
1Divisions of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, USA. Taubman1@aol.com
Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
|December 10, 2003
Summary
Hiding during defecation before toilet training is common in children and linked to toilet training difficulties like constipation and stool withholding. This behavior may complicate the toilet training process.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric behavioral science
- Child development
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Hiding during defecation is a behavior observed in some children.
- The relationship between this behavior and toilet training outcomes is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and age of onset of hiding behavior during defecation in pre-toilet-trained children.
- To investigate the association between hiding behavior and difficulties encountered during toilet training.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study involving 378 children aged 17-19 months in a suburban pediatric practice.
- Parents were interviewed every 2-3 months until toilet training completion.
- Children were categorized into 'hiding' or 'nonhiding' groups based on reported hiding behavior during defecation.
Main Results:
- 69.6% of children exhibited hiding behavior during defecation before toilet training completion.
- The hiding group showed significantly higher rates of stool toileting refusal, constipation, and stool withholding.
- Children who hid during defecation completed toilet training at a later age compared to non-hiders.
Conclusions:
- Hiding during defecation before toilet training is associated with increased likelihood of stool toileting refusal, constipation, and stool withholding.
- These associated behaviors may present challenges and difficulties during the toilet training process.