When a child has prolapse of the rectum, it can be concerning for parents. It occurs when a portion of the rectum pushes through the anus and slips out of place. Although this may sound concerning, it is frequently curable with the correct support and care.
Young children, especially those under three, may experience this condition. Coughing, persistent constipation, and even straining during bowel movements are some of the factors that may be involved. Parents who are aware of the symptoms and causes of rectal prolapse will be better able to handle the situation.
What is it?
Prolapse of the rectum is an ailment that manifests itself in the lower part of the intestine lowering and eversion of its fragment outward through the anus. Prolapse can be a rather painful condition that causes significant inconvenience to the child. Over time, prolapses become more frequent, the risk of necrotic changes in the intestine increases, fecal incontinence is possible. Among all the proctological problems of childhood, this diagnosis is considered the most common. The thing is that children have their own age differences in the structure of the colon and sphincters. And therefore, most often the disease is diagnosed in children aged 1 to 3 years, with a lesser frequency – in preschoolers. This almost never happens in adolescents.
A certain amount of gender dependence exists. Therefore, rectal prolapse happens nearly twice as frequently in male children as in female children of the same age.
Causes
- Age-related anatomical features – in children, for example, at 1 or 2 years old, the rectum is located almost vertically. If the child strains, then the lower part of the intestine experiences higher pressure than in children over 4-5 years old with similar actions. The pelvic muscles in children are weaker than in adults. This becomes the cause of prolapse if the intra-abdominal pressure increases.
- Diseases of the large intestine – dolichosigma (lengthening of the sigmoid colon, accompanied by impaired defecation and motility) can be the cause prolapse. A connection between prolapse and megadolichosigmoid colon (a more pronounced form of elongation of the sigmoid colon) has also been proven.
- Intestinal dysfunction – a tendency to constipation or loose stools, intestinal inflammation, intestinal infections and exhaustion, poor nutrition – all this can not only disrupt the processes of releasing the intestine from feces, but also cause its prolapse.
- Dysbacteriosis and dysfunction of the nervous system – this disrupts the coordination of muscle contractions of the intestine, which leads to constipation, episodic diarrhea and, ultimately, to prolapse.
- Parental mistakes when putting a child on a potty – if the baby spends a very long time on the potty and mom and dad do not control the time that the baby spends on this hygienic device, the likelihood of prolapse of the distal part of the rectum with eversion increases.
Symptoms and signs
Prolapse is the primary symptom and diagnostic marker for the pathology, which is exactly how it sounds. In a relaxed state, prolapse might go undetected. It usually shows up and becomes noticeable following a bowel movement. When the child urinates, you can see a reddish piece of mucous membrane in the anus lumen if you ask him to bend over.
The child might not complain of any pain or discomfort in the beginning. His behavior is typical, and his health remains unchanged. A few hours after feces, the intestine automatically returns to its initial, normal position.
However, the illness always worsens with time, and eventually spontaneous reduction starts to take longer and longer. While still outside, the intestine swells, becomes inflamed, and complaints of pain and discomfort start to show.
The anal sphincter becomes overstretched if reduction is not possible and a portion of the intestine is left outside for an extended period of time. As a result, the infant loses the ability to control the passage of feces and starts to defecate involuntarily. Eventually, the infant is unable to hold intestinal gases and they emerge uncontrollably.
If the child doesn’t get treatment, the prolapsed portion of the intestine eventually develops ulcers and shows signs of necrosis. Peritonitis may result from this.
What to do?
Many parents notice the above-mentioned symptoms, but are unable to diagnose the illness on their own. As a result, they complain to a pediatrician that their child has "something foreign in the butt." Unlike mothers and fathers, a doctor can detect pathology both during the most common examination of the anus, called a digital examination, and when palpating the rectum. Because the symptoms of the disease are most noticeable when the pressure inside the abdominal cavity increases, preschoolers who already know exactly what is expected of them can make a special push in the doctor’s office, and the diagnosis won’t cause any problems at all.
The doctor might suggest having an irrigography, or colon X-ray with contrast agent, to make a precise diagnosis. In the context of infections, children who frequently experience diseases like rectal prolapse are required to undergo testing, including a bacteriological analysis of their feces.
All of this offers a wealth of information regarding the presence and nature of intestine changes, the presence of infectious agents, the severity of dysbacteriosis, and other topics. This will all aid in recommending the appropriate course of action.
| Aspect | Description |
| Definition | Prolapse of the rectum occurs when part of the rectum slips out of its normal position and extends through the anus. |
| Causes | Common causes include chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, or a weak pelvic floor. |
| Symptoms | Symptoms may include visible protrusion of rectal tissue, discomfort, bleeding, and difficulty with bowel movements. |
| Diagnosis | Diagnosis is typically made through physical examination and sometimes imaging studies. |
| Treatment | Treatment options vary depending on severity and may include dietary changes, medications, or surgical intervention. |
| Prevention | Preventive measures include addressing constipation, ensuring proper toilet habits, and strengthening pelvic floor muscles. |
Parents and healthcare professionals must act quickly to treat rectal prolapse in children. Even though it can be concerning, the problem is frequently resolved with no long-term effects through early detection and treatment. Most of the time, the child can heal with just basic home care and dietary changes.
However, in order to rule out any underlying conditions that might be aggravating the issue, seeing a doctor is imperative if symptoms worsen or persist. Since every child’s circumstances are different, managing their recovery requires a tailored strategy.
Parents can help their child overcome rectal prolapse and keep it from affecting their well-being in the future by being informed and getting help when needed.
When a child has rectal prolapse, their rectum slips out of place, frequently resulting in pain, bleeding, or trouble passing stool. It may occur as a result of straining, persistent constipation, or underlying medical conditions. Despite the condition’s frightening appearance, it is curable with the right care and early intervention. It is important for parents to recognize the warning signs and consult a physician to avoid complications and guarantee their child’s comfort and wellbeing.
