Referral criteria from primary care- childhood constipation

A referral to a paediatrician is probably advisable if (1):

• there is a history of prolonged constipation (over 6 months' duration), or,
• there is frequent distress and soiling, or,
• there is diagnostic doubt as to the cause of symptoms, or,
• constipation is interfering with the child's social relationships and schooling

Refer children and young people with idiopathic constipation who still have unresolved symptoms on optimum management to a paediatric surgical centre to assess their suitability for an antegrade colonic enema (ACE) procedure (2)

Reference:

• 1) DTB (2000); 38 (8): 57-60.
• 2) NICE (May 2010). Constipation in chidren