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What Causes Irregular Defecation In Infant?

Posted on Wed, 22 Apr 2015

Question: MY 7 WEEKS OLD DAUGHTER HAS CONTINUOUS CONSTIPATION.SHE IS NOT PASSING STOOLS REGULARLY.SHE IS ON BREAST FEEDING.SHE IS PASSING FLATUS .SHE IS PASSING STOOLS LIKE DROPS DAILY ONCE OR TWICE.SHE WILL NOT DRINK MILK COMFORTABLY MORE OFTEN.SHE IS PASSING URINE MORE THAN 6 TIMES A DAY.THYROID TESTS AND SERUM ELECTROLYTES WERE DONE.THYROID TESTS WERE NORMAL.SERUM POTASSIUM LEVELS ARE LOW NORMAL.IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS, SHE DID NT PASS STOOLS FOR 7 AND 5 DAYS RESPECTIVELY..SO ENEMA WAS GIVEN IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.DOCTOR TOLD THAT MILK IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO THE BABY...BUT I AM GETTING ENOUGH MILK.MY DAUGHTER DRINKS MILK IN A GOOD AMOUNT AND SOMETIMES SHE WILL NOT DRINK MUCH.PLEASE SUGGEST SOME SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This is not constipation

Detailed Answer:
Hi...a 7 week old passing stools once in 5-7 day is not constipation. In many babies this will their routine regular schedule. Nothing to worry about it.

But I ma happy that work up for hypothyroidism has been done and were found out to be normal. Even I would have done the same. Right now she doesn't require any further evaluation till 6 months.

At 6 months once you start giving her complimentary feeding make sure you give her good amount of fruits and vegetables.

I have a few questions for you - kindly get back with answers.

Questions:
1. Did your kid pass motion or meconium on day one of life?
2. Does the kid have any bleeding along with hard stools?
3. How is her feeding even though she doesn't pass motion for 5-7 days?

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

sir,i didnt remeber clearly whether my baby had passed stools on d day of life.she was born in the morning at 7 o clock.the nxt day she had passed stools.the same question was asked by the doctor i have consulted.sir, can u please say what is the relation of passing meconium in one day of life to this.she doesnt hav any bleeding in stools.we are giving lactulose for every 3 days.she is then passing stools.she is not passing stools voluntarily.she is straining and crying and taking less milk if she doesnt pass motion for 5 to 7 days.please say what to to do if she cries and takes less feeding

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on bowel habits

Detailed Answer:
Hi...

1. The significance of passing meconium on day 1 of life is that - if it is passed it is normal. If it is not passed then there are may conditions like meconium ileus/ cystic fibrosis/ Hirschsprung's disease which cause constipation in later life and are life threatening. So if the baby has not passed meconium in the day 1 of life we as doctors should evaluate the possible causes.

2. If her urine output is normal and gaining weight then you need not worry about her feeding.

3. Do not use laxatives in this age group - not indicated.

If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link. In this way even in health care magic you can follow up always with a single doctor who knows the history of your kid completely. Please find the link below -
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar