Prevalence and clinical characteristics of constipation in children in Specialized Sam Pediatric Center Sana'a, Yemen

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical characteristics of functional constipation in children presenting to Specialized Sam Pediatric Center (SSPC) Sana'a city.A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out in SSPC during 7 months 2014. Of the 5625 patients seen for different causes through that period, 450 (8%) had functional constipation were included in the study and met the Rome III criteria for constipation. Information regarding age, gender, duration of constipation consistency of stool, infrequent defecation, painful evacuation, fecal incontinence and fecal mass in rectum, and/or soiling were collected.Age ranged from 0-18 years. Prevalence of functional constipation in children was 450 (8%) with duration ≥2 months (230 [51%] females, 220 [49%] males). Prevalence of constipation in age group of 5-10 years was 41.33% and it was 32, 67% in age group 2-5 years. The most common complaints were dry hard stool was found in 97% of the patients, infrequent defecation in 70%, painful evacuation stools in 60% and fecal incontinence in 20%. Large fecal mass in rectum, and/or soiling was found in 20%.The prevalence of constipation of all visits to pediatric outpatient clinics was high. It was more prevalent, in the age groups of 5-10 years and 2-5 years than in the other age groups and females more affected than males. The most common symptom and signs was dry, hard stool followed by infrequent defecation, painful stools, fecal incontinence then fecal mass in rectum, and/or soiling.