Functional Constipation: Pathophysiology, evaluation, and management

Functional constipation (FC), a disorder of the gut-brain interaction of multifactorial pathophysiology that is prevalent in paediatrics. It is associated with bothersome symptoms, increased healthcare costs, disgruntled caregivers and impaired health-related quality of life. Paediatric FC is a clinical diagnosis based on the Rome IV criteria and is characterised by decreased bowel movement frequency and/or hard, painful stools and can be complicated by retentive faecal incontinence. Stressful life events, difficult temperaments and emotional and behavioural challenges have been implicated in increasing risk of developing paediatric FC.