Mother urges national action after toddler’s constipation reached crisis point

A mother whose two-year-old son suffered severe, untreated constipation that the family feared could have been fatal is urging the government to make children’s continence services a national priority.

Elissa Novak said her son Ivan was repeatedly vomiting, losing weight and in severe pain at the worst of his illness. A doctor estimated that about 2kg of his 10kg body weight was stool. Novak said health professionals should screen for constipation across all areas of care so problems are identified earlier.

NHS figures show the number of children aged up to 16 admitted to hospitals in England with constipation and related symptoms reached more than 44,000 in 2023-24, a 10-year high. The charity Bladder and Bowel UK estimates about 1.5 million children in the UK experience constipation.

Campaigners and clinical experts say the rise in admissions and ongoing cases reflect gaps in local provision of specialist bladder and bowel services for children. They warn that in some areas no dedicated paediatric continence teams exist, leaving parents to manage complex problems at home or to seek repeated urgent care.

Charities reported a surge in contacts to helplines as children returned to school this term. Clinicians say constipation in children can present with a variety of symptoms beyond infrequent stools, including abdominal pain, vomiting, soiling and weight loss, and can be missed if not actively considered.

Clinicians typically assess children with chronic constipation through history, physical examination and, where appropriate, imaging or specialist referral. Treatment often includes laxatives, dietary changes and regular follow-up, but access to paediatric continence expertise and outpatient support varies by region, according to health professionals and advocacy groups.

Parents and campaigners are calling for clearer pathways so children with persistent bowel problems receive timely assessment and consistent management. They say routine screening for constipation at health visits, improved training for frontline health staff and the establishment of specialist services where they are absent would reduce emergency admissions and complications.

An NHS spokesperson said local health systems commission services based on assessed need and that families should contact their GP or local children’s services if they are concerned about a child’s bowel habits. Health bodies have encouraged parents to seek medical advice early for persistent symptoms.

Advocates said recent data should prompt review of provision across England to ensure children with continence problems have access to timely, specialist care. They emphasised that early recognition and treatment can prevent severe complications, reduce hospital stays and improve quality of life for affected children and their families.

The call for national prioritisation comes as parents describe the stress and disruption caused by prolonged bowel problems in young children and as charities report continuing high demand for advice and support. Health organisations and campaign groups say better local services, consistent clinical guidance and wider awareness among health professionals could reduce the number of children reaching crisis point.