Infant dyschezia refers to the discomfort an infant experiences when bearing down against a closed anal sphincter, and is often misidentified as constipation by parents.  As long as red flags are absent, this functional, self-limited condition is easily diagnosed using the Rome IV Criteria.  In this episode, you will learn how to reassure parents and what contraindicated treatments should be discussed.  

References:

Children’s Wisconsin. (2020). Infants straining to move bowels. https://childrenswi.org/-/media/chwlibrary/publication-media-library/2020/03/30/20/48/2144en.pdf

LeLeiko, N. S., Mayer-Brown, S., Cerezo, C., & Plante, W. (2020). Constipation. Pediatrics in review, 41(8), 379–392. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.2018-0334

Tabbers, M. M., DiLorenzo, C., Berger, M. Y., Faure, C., Langendam, M. W., Nurko, S., Staiano, A., Vandenplas, Y., Benninga, M. A., European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition, & North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology (2014). Evaluation and treatment of functional constipation in infants and children: evidence-based recommendations from ESPGHAN and NASPGHAN. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition, 58(2), 258–274. https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000000266

Zeevenhooven, J., Koppen, I. J., & Benninga, M. A. (2017). The New Rome IV Criteria for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Infants and Toddlers. Pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology & nutrition, 20(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.5223/pghn.2017.20.1.1