TREATMENT OF DEFECATION PROBLEMS IN CHILDREN - THE ROLE OF EDUCATION,DEMYSTIFICATION AND TOILET TRAINING

To evaluate the effect of education in children with chronic defaecati on problems, a prospective 6-week intervention study was designed. A t otal of 54 children (5-14 years) underwent an education programme, wit h demystification of symptoms and advice about diet and toilet trainin g. The present treatment was continued. After 6 weeks, children with p ersistent problems received biofeedback training with a follow up of 1 year. The intervention programme was successful in 8 children (15%). Biofeedback training was successful in 49% of the remaining group afte r I year. Conclusion A total of 15% of the children with chronic defae cation problems seen at a referral centre could surprisingly be helped by a simple education programme with, demystification and toilet trai ning. Further studies evaluating treatment in children with defaecatio n problems should account for the primary effect of these measures.