“Constipation is increasing in children, we know from that national diet survey that fibre intakes are not adequate, coupled with food poverty and the cost of living crisis, it does impact children,” said Rebecca McManamon, a consultant dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association.
“We shouldn’t be having that many children being treated for constipation in hospital,” said Prof Monica Lakhanpaul, a consultant paediatrician at Whittington Health NHS trust and University College London.
Juliette Rayner, chief executive of Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Continence (ERIC), a children’s bowel and bladder charity, said that some families struggle to get GP appointments and, with fewer health visitors, don’t receive help until the problem has become entrenched.
Some clinicians said they are seeing more cases and blamed factors including poverty, food insecurity, and children starting school before they are toilet trained.
More than 44,000 children were admitted to hospital with constipation last year, according to NHS figures that highlight the potentially serious health consequences of the condition.
