• I Xinias and A Mavroudi.
• 3 Pediatric Department, Hippokratio Hospital, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.
• Hippokratia. 2015 Jan 1; 19 (1): 11-9.

ObjectiveConstipation is a frequent problitalic in childhood and may be defined as delay or difficulty in defecation that persists for longer than two weeks. It is one of the ten most frequent pathological conditions that a general paediatrician deals with. The aim of this review is to provide the general paediatrician an overview of constipation in children discussing the etiology, differential diagnosis, signs and symptoms and patient evaluation.MethodsWe provide an overview on the pathogenesis, the diagnostic approach and the managitalicent of constipation based on electronic literature searches using the best available evidence from PubMed, Medline, Google Scholar, the European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN).ResultsThe most common type of constipation is functional accounting for 90-95% of all cases. In a small percentage of children, who may have an organic cause of constipation, an appropriate laboratory investigation and imagine studying is warranted.ConclusionsFunctional constipation ritalicains a frequent problitalic in childhood. Treatment options differ between infants and children. italicphasis on recommended regimens for maintenance and how to reduce medication will help to improve the long-term outcome. Moreover, it is of great importance to follow constipated children closely and restart medication promptly. On treatment failure or on suspicion of organic disease the patient should be referred for further evaluation. Hippokratia 2015, 19 (1): 11-19.

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