Association between child maltreatment and constipation: a school-based survey using Rome III criteria

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Child Psychology
• Public Health

Background:

• Child abuse has profound physical and psychosomatic consequences.
• Constipation is a common gastrointestinal issue in children.
• Understanding the link between abuse and physical symptoms is crucial for effective intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between child abuse (physical, emotional, sexual) and constipation in schoolchildren.
• To explore the relationship between abuse, somatization, and perceived severity of bowel symptoms.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1792 schoolchildren (ages 13-18) in Sri Lanka.
• Self-administered questionnaires collected data on sociodemographics, gastrointestinal symptoms, child abuse, and somatization.
• Constipation diagnosed using Rome III criteria.

Main Results:

• 7.7% of children met Rome III criteria for constipation.
• Constipation prevalence was significantly higher in children exposed to sexual (5.8%), emotional (40.9%), and physical abuse (41.6%).
• Abused children with constipation exhibited higher somatization scores and perceived greater severity of bowel symptoms.

Conclusions:

• Childhood constipation is significantly associated with physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
• Abused children experiencing constipation report increased somatic and bowel symptom severity.
• These findings highlight the importance of screening for abuse in children with chronic constipation.