Recognizing an Intestinal Blockage in a Young Child

When children are very small, it can be virtually impossible to tell exactly what is the matter with them. You may have an idea, but unless you have seen the symptoms before, it is very difficult to make a diagnosis. When the issue is something serious, like an intestinal blockage, you need to know what the signs are so you can act before the problem gets too serious.

Intestinal blockages are most common in children who have had bowel surgery, such as for an imperforated anus or the like. It is important to catch them before any damage is done and while reversal is still a fairly easy process.

An intestinal blockage can be partial or total. Partial blockages are the most difficult to recognize because they will allow some feces to pass, usually fairly liquid ones. So, your child will appear to be going to the bathroom, at least a little, despite the fact that he has a blockage. A total blockage will not allow anything to pass.

If you notice that your little one has not gone to the bathroom for a couple of days, you may start to get worried. Try giving him some apple juice, prunes or a mild laxative, if your doctor has prescribed one. These should work within 24 hours. If there is no change, you should see your doctor.

Make sure that your child is drinking enough. He should be making several wet diapers per day. This should keep the feces nice and moist, but in the case of a blockage, your little one will still not pass anything. He may only want milk and water, and refuse any solid food after a few days of constipation. This is a very good sign that his intestines are blocked.

Check those dirty diapers. Is your baby pooping enough? If he is only going enough to color the diaper, but nothing of substance is coming out, you should be on the watch for further symptoms. If this continues for three or more days, talk to your doctor.

More severe symptoms of a blockage include a hard, swollen belly, loss of appetite (your child may refuse anything by mouth) and finally, vomiting. Once he has begun vomiting, you will need to get him to the doctor straight away, especially if the vomit is green or yellow or appears to be feces. This is caused by food simply not being able to move forward in the digestive system, so it comes back out.

For partial blockages, an enema may be effective. However, full blockages will need medical intervention. If you suspect that your child has an intestinal blockage, you should talk to your doctor before attempting an enema.