Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
The cause of rectal prolapse in children
1Johns Hopkins Hospital Cystic Fibrosis Center, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD.
Abstract:
Fifty-four pediatric patients with rectal prolapse (RP) were identified by review of medical records from 1977 to 1987. Rectal prolapse was attributed to chronic constipation (15 patients), acute diarrheal disease (11 patients), cystic fibrosis (CF) (six patients), and neurologic/anatomic abnormalities (13 patients). In nine patients, no underlying cause was identified. The patients with CF did not differ from the other groups in terms of age at time of onset of prolapse, growth measurements, or number of episodes of prolapse. All patients with CF had a history of abnormalities or presented with signs and symptoms consistent with this diagnosis; none had a history of constipation. Although physicians can be reassured that CF is not a likely diagnosis in patients with RP and acute diarrheal disease or a clear history of constipation, a sweat test is indicated in all such cases as well as in those in which there is no apparent underlying cause. A sweat test is not usually indicated in patients with RP in association with underlying anatomic abnormalities.
Related Concept Videos
Feces Formation and Defecation
The mass peristalsis then pushes the feces into the rectum, which stretches the rectal walls to activate...
Assessment of the Rectum and Anus
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Esophageal Strictures-I: Introduction
Etiology
The primary cause of esophageal strictures is long-standing gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), accounting for about 70 to 80% of adult cases. Chronic acid reflux can lead to injury and scarring of the esophageal lining, culminating in...
Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
Intestinal Obstruction II: Pathophysiology
Diverticular Disease of the Colon

