Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
03:50

Acupoint Application Combined with Acupoint Massage for Treating Constipation in a Patient with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 18, 2023

Constipation is associated with incomplete bladder emptying in healthy children

Shang-Jen Chang1, Cheng-Hsing Hsieh, Stephen Shei-Dei Yang

  • 1Divisionof Urology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Taipei Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.

Neurourology and Urodynamics
|November 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Constipation in children, defined by infrequent bowel movements, is linked to incomplete bladder emptying. This finding highlights the importance of addressing defecation issues in pediatric urology.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Urology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Child Health

Background:

  • Constipation is a common issue in childhood, affecting a significant percentage of healthy children.
  • The relationship between constipation and lower urinary tract symptoms in children is an area of ongoing research.
  • Uroflowmetry and post-void residual urine (PVR) tests are key diagnostic tools for evaluating bladder function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the association between constipation and uroflowmetry/PVR test results in healthy children.
  • To determine if different definitions of constipation yield similar associations with bladder function.

Main Methods:

  • Healthy children aged 4-12 years underwent uroflowmetry and PVR testing.
  • Constipation was defined by defecation frequency (≤2/week) or Bristol stool scale (type 1-2).
  • Data were analyzed for children with voided volumes between 50 ml and age-expected capacity.

Main Results:

  • Low defecation frequency constipation was associated with higher PVR (9.0 vs. 5.9 ml) and lower voiding efficiency (93.2% vs. 94.9%).
  • A higher rate of PVR > 20 ml was observed in children with low defecation frequency (17.7% vs. 7.1%).
  • Constipation based on Bristol stool type did not show significant associations with PVR or voiding efficiency.

Conclusions:

  • Constipation, when defined by infrequent bowel movements, is associated with incomplete bladder emptying in healthy children.
  • These findings suggest a potential link between defecation patterns and bladder function in pediatric populations.
  • Further research may explore the clinical implications of this association for managing childhood constipation.
Abstract

Related Concept Videos

The Micturition Reflex01:26

The Micturition Reflex

Urination, or micturition involves the coordination of the bladder's detrusor muscle and two sphincters to ensure controlled bladder emptying.
The process begins with bladder filling, where the bladder wall stretches as urine accumulates. This stretching activates the urine storage reflex, mediated by the sacral spinal segments and the pontine storage center. Efferent sympathetic impulses stimulate the detrusor muscle to relax and the internal urethral sphincter to contract, facilitating urine...
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus01:25

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Disorders of the Urinary System01:20

Disorders of the Urinary System

The urinary system is responsible for eliminating waste and excess fluids from the body. However, disorders of the urinary system can arise due to various reasons like infections, stress, age, congenital abnormalities, and lifestyle.
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common urinary system disorders. They are caused by bacteria that enter the urethra and can spread to the bladder resulting in cystitis. Pyelonephritis is the result of a UTI that has ascended to the level of the...
Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction01:29

Intestinal Obstruction I: Introduction

Intestinal obstruction is a partial or complete blockage of the small or large intestine that disrupts the normal flow of intestinal contents through the lumen. This interruption impairs digestion, absorption, and fluid balance, and may lead to serious complications if not treated promptly.Mechanical ObstructionMechanical obstruction occurs when a physical blockage prevents intestinal contents from passing, arising from within the lumen or the bowel wall, or from external compression.Adhesions,...
Feces Formation and Defecation01:26

Feces Formation and Defecation

After spending 3 to 10 hours in the large intestine, chyme loses a lot of water and becomes feces, the final product of digestion. Feces consist of undigested dietary fiber such as cellulose, mucus, sloughed-off epithelial cells, and microbes. The descending and sigmoid colon stores feces and uses haustral contractions to dry it out but retains enough water to give it a semi-solid texture.
The mass peristalsis then pushes the feces into the rectum, which stretches the rectal walls to activate...
Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract01:28

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...