Encopresis

Definition

If a child over 4 years of age has been toilet trained, and still passes stool and soils clothes, it is called encopresis. The child may or may not be doing this on purpose.

Alternative Names

Soiling; Incontinence - stool; Constipation - encopresis; Impaction - encopresis

Causes

The child may have constipation. The stool is hard, dry, and stuck in the colon (called fecal impaction). The child then passes only wet or almost liquid stool that flows around the hard stool. It may leak out during the day or night.

Other causes may include:

Whatever the cause, the child may feel shame, guilt, or low self-esteem, and may hide signs of encopresis.

Factors that may increase the risk of encopresis include:

Encopresis is much more common in boys than in girls. It tends to go away as the child gets older.

Symptoms

Symptoms can include any of the following:

Exams and Tests

Your health care provider may feel the stool stuck in the child's rectum (fecal impaction). An x-ray of the child's belly may show impacted stool in the colon.

Your provider may perform an exam of the nervous system to check for a spinal cord problem.

Other tests may include:

Treatment

The goal of treatment is to:

It is best for parents to support, rather than criticize or discourage the child.

Treatments may include any of the following:

For encopresis without constipation, the child may need a psychiatric evaluation to find the cause.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Most children respond well to treatment. Encopresis often recurs, so some children need ongoing treatment.

Possible Complications

If not treated, the child may have low self-esteem and problems making and keeping friends. Other complications may include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your provider for an appointment if a child is over 4 years old and has encopresis.

Prevention

Encopresis can be prevented by:

References

Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al. Motility disorders and Hirschsprung disease. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 378.

Noe J. Constipation. In: Kliegman RM, Toth H, Bordini BJ, Basel D, eds. Nelson Pediatric Symptom-Based Diagnosis. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 19.

Roy D, Akriche F, Amlani B, Shakir S. Utilisation and safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 with electrolytes in children under 2 years: A Retrospective Cohort. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2021;72(5):683-689. PMID: 33587408 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33587408/.


Review Date: 7/16/2024
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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