|
WARNING, WARNING, WARNING; This section is for my
Tufts University and University of the Philippines medical students. If you are a
"worrier" type or a very anxious parent, please talk
to your clinician about your child's problem or
symptoms, rather than reading this differential
diagnosis listing.
Here are some important causes of constipation: Intestinal obstruction, Hirschsprungs
disease, Hypothyroidism, Infant Botulism, Lead
poisoning, Tumors, Hyperparathyroidism,
Hypercalcemia, and Tethered cord syndrome. However,
the
INFECTIONS
Urinary Tract Infection Diskitis Osteomyelitis of the Vertebra Tuberculosis Epidural Abscess Brucellosis Acute Transverse Myelopathy Iliac Osteomyelitis Sacroiliac joint infections Myalgia
NEOPLASTIC DISEASES
Benign tumor Osteoid Osteoma Benign Osteoblastoma Eosinophilic Granuloma Aneurysmal Bone Cyst Neurenteric Cysts
Malignant or Cancer of the Bone Ewing Sarcoma Osteogenic Sarcoma
Metastatic Tumor Neuroblastoma Wilms Tumor
Spinal Cord Tumors
Leukemia and Lymphoma
BONE ABNORMALITIES
Scheuermann Disease Spondylolisthesis Spondylolysis Osteoporosis Scoliosis
INJURY
Ligamentous or Muscle Strain Prolapse of Intervertebral Disc
PSYCHOGENIC PAIN
OTHER CAUSES
Anklyosing Spondylitis Chronic Hemolytic Anemias Calcification of Intervertebral Disks Diastematomyelia Arteriovenous Malformation of Cord Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Multiple Epiphyseal Dysplasia
Reference: Signs & Symptoms in Pediatrics 2nd Edition, page467 Tunnessen, Jr
se are not common causes.
The more common ones are: Milk allergy, inadequate
intake of fluids or fibers, and Anal fissure.
From: Signs & Symptoms In Pediatrics 2nd Edition, page 392, Tunnessen, Jr
PHYSIOLOGIC CAUSES
Cow's Milk Allergy Low Dietary Roughage Breast Feeding Febrile Illness How Weather Immobility Anorexia Nervosa
ENDOCRINE & METABOLIS CAUSES
Hypothyroidism Diabetes Mellitus Pheochromocytoma Hypokalemia Hypercalcemia or Hypocalemia Lipid Storage Disease Amyloidosis Conditions Associated with Polyuria Acute Intermittent Porphyria
VOLUNTARY WITHOLDING
Megacolon with or without Encopresis Painful defecations (Anal Fissure, Perianal Dermatitis, Hemorrhoids) Intentional Witholding Improper Toilet Training Emotional Disturbance Severe Mental Retardation Depression
NEUROLOGIC CAUSES
Hirschsprung Disease (Congenital Megacolon) Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction Cerebral Palsy Myelomeningocele Spinal Cord Injury Sacral Agenesis Diatematomyelia Spinal Dysraphism Muscular Weakness Acquired Postganglionic Cholinergic Dysautonomia Neurofibromatosis
DELAYED PASSAGE OF MECONIUM
Intestinal Obstruction Meconium Ileus Hirshsprung Disease Meconium Plug Functional Ileus Small Left Colon Syndrome Drugs Administered to Mother Hypothyroidism
OTHER CAUSES
Infant Botulism Lead :Poisoning Tetanus Drugs Salmonellosis Anal or Rectal Stenosis Anteriorally Placed Anus Dolichocolon Appendicitis Celiac Disease Scheroderma Chagas Disease Viral Hepatitis Meconium Ileus Equivalent
**
Differential Diagnosis of
Constipation from PEDIATRIC COMPLAINTS AND
DIAGNOSTIC DILEMMAS, by Shah & Ludwig, 2004
Causes of
Constipation
Functional
Functional fecal retention, Lack of bulk and fiber
in the diet, Protracted vomiting, Irritable bowel
syndrome
Obstructive
Adenocarcinoma, Pelvic tumor, mass, or pregnancy,
Meconium ileus (cystic fibrosis), Anterior ectopic
anus, Congenital or acquired anal ring stenosis,
Small left colon, Rectal of sigmoid stricture
Endocrine & Metabolic
Hypothyroidism, Hyperparathyroidism, Idiopathic
hypercalcemia, Hypokalemia, Pheochromocytoma,
Diabetes, Renal tubular acidosis, Vitamin D
intoxication, Amyloidosis, Collagen-vascular (scleroderma,
lupus, dermatomyositis), Visceral myopathy,
Congenital pseudo-obstruction, Multiple endocrine
adenoma, Porphyria, Graft versus host disease
Neurologic
Aganglionosis (Hirschsprung's disease), Neuronal
dysplasia (hyperganglionosis), Hypoganglionosis (Chagas
disease), Familial dysautonomia, Hypotonia
syndromes, Spina bifida occulta, Myelomeningocele,
Paraplegia, Cauda equina tumor, Tethered cord
syndrome
Functional
Functional fecal retention, Protracted vomiting,
Lack of bulk in diet, Irritable bowel syndrome
Medicinal
Laxative abuse, Diuretics, Tricyclic
antidepressants, Narcotics, Aluminum antacids,
Vincristine, Calcium channel blockers, Iron
overload, Lead poisoning
End
Belly Pain Air Leaks From Lungs Acute Crying Back Pain Bed Wetting Big Lymph Node Big Spleen Blood in Urine Chronic Diarrhea Chest Pain Cough Coughing Up Blood Constipation Droopy Eye Enlarged Glands Eye Swelling Excessive Thrist Facial Paralysis Fainting Spell Feeding Problem GI Bleeding Headache Head Tilt Hives High ESR Hoarseness Joint Pain Limp Leg Pain Muscle Weakness Noisy Breathing Nose Bleeding Nose Obstruction Pyuria Recurrent Infection Red Green Urine Ringing in the Ears Scrotal Swelling Seizures Stiff Neck Swelling of the Parotic Gland Toe Walking Toeing In Toeing Out Unequal Pupils Vomiting Wheezing
Leo Leonidas, MD, FAAP Assistant Clinical Professor in Pediatrics Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston Attending Pediatrician Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor
|
|