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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
Summary
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.
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