TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Constipation A1 - Parker, Michelle W. A2 - Zaoutis, Lisa B. A2 - Chiang, Vincent W. PY - 2017 T2 - Comprehensive Pediatric Hospital Medicine, 2e AB - Constipation is a common pediatric disorder, with studies citing a prevalence up to 30% with a median of 9% of children;1 however, in special patient populations such as children with cerebral palsy, prevalence is much higher.2 It was the principal diagnosis in 52/10,000 hospital discharges for patients <18 years old with an all-study mean cost per discharge of $17,518 in 2010.3 Because normal stooling patterns vary greatly among individuals and by age, constipation is generally defined as infrequent or difficult passage of hard stool, frequently associated with pain and straining.1,4-8 Average stooling frequencies at different ages have been defined (Table 76-1). SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1146116822 ER -