Current views on functional constipations in infants

Abstract

This article states that about 3–13 % of infants display symptoms of functional constipation. These symptoms may cause parents to worry, and drive them to seek medical advice. Functional constipation is often observed in infants, especially when switching from breast milk to artificial feeding or to solid food. In this case, the younger the child, the higher the risk of anatomical or organic causes, although the incidence of functional constipation reaches 97 % of all cases of constipations in children. This article discusses the feasibility and effectiveness of diet therapy and medical treatment of functional constipation.

Keywords

• infants
• functional disorders of the digestive system
• constipations