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Faecal incontinence in children in Calabar
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence of faecal incontinence in children in Calabar.
Methods: A study of children who were admitted for faecal incontinence at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and the Faith Foundation Specialist Clinic in Calabar over a seven year period from January 1994 to December 200 was done.
Results: Faecal incontinence in children was common as a result of previous anorectal surgery. The modal age at presentation was the 6 to 10 years age group; this corresponds with the time when the societal embarrassment of soilage at school became obvious. The expensive surgical operation for this condition was avoided as the patients were rather offered the simple conservative management consisting of diet manipulations, daily enema and training of sphincter muscles. To these was added a simple but effective surgical narrowing of the anorectal junction. This procedure complemented with psychotherapy was effective in improving continence to various degrees in 90% of the patients.
Conclusion: Faecal Incontinence is a societal problem and before school age is not taken seriously as diapers may be applied in the home environment.
Orient Journal of Medicine Vol. 18(1&2) 2006: 30-34
Methods: A study of children who were admitted for faecal incontinence at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and the Faith Foundation Specialist Clinic in Calabar over a seven year period from January 1994 to December 200 was done.
Results: Faecal incontinence in children was common as a result of previous anorectal surgery. The modal age at presentation was the 6 to 10 years age group; this corresponds with the time when the societal embarrassment of soilage at school became obvious. The expensive surgical operation for this condition was avoided as the patients were rather offered the simple conservative management consisting of diet manipulations, daily enema and training of sphincter muscles. To these was added a simple but effective surgical narrowing of the anorectal junction. This procedure complemented with psychotherapy was effective in improving continence to various degrees in 90% of the patients.
Conclusion: Faecal Incontinence is a societal problem and before school age is not taken seriously as diapers may be applied in the home environment.
Orient Journal of Medicine Vol. 18(1&2) 2006: 30-34
