Exams and Tests

• A doctor will perform an examination to assess the child's general appearance and growth. The doctor will look for signs of diseases that may cause constipation.
  
  
  • Close attention to the abdominal exam may reveal distention, tenderness, or hard stool that can be felt.
    
    
  • Anal inspection will be performed to check for problems. The doctor may perform a digital rectal exam with his or her finger to check for hard stool in the rectum or to see if the rectum is dilated.
    
    
  • The stool may need to be tested for blood.
  
  
• Usually no diagnostic tests or x-rays have to be performed if the history and exam suggest constipation. Sometimes an abdominal x-ray is obtained and shows stool in the colon. If a medical problem is suspected as the cause of constipation, blood tests or other abdominal imaging studies may need to be performed.
  
  
• The most useful tool the doctor can use to diagnose constipation is the history given by the parents. A doctor needs to know the following:
  
  
  • What is meant when parents use the term constipation and how long has the condition been present?
    
    
  • What is the size and consistency of the stools?
    
    
  • How frequent are the bowel movements?
    
    
  • Is pain present with stooling and is there blood present?
    
    
  • Is abdominal pain a problem?
    
    
  • Is there poor appetite, weight loss, or poor weight gain?
    
    
  • Are episodes of fecal soiling present?
    
    
  • Does the child use the bathroom at school?
    
    
  • What over-the-counter, herbal, or prescription medications are being taken?
    
    
  • What type of diet is the child on?