Constipation may be caused when physical or sexual abuse injures the
abdominal or rectal area. The child may have injury to the rectum, bruising
over the abdomen or back, or injury to the lower spine that prevents normal
bowel movements. Constipation that is caused by abuse usually does not get
better with home treatment methods.
You may feel uneasy if your health professional brings up the issue
of child abuse. Health professionals have a professional duty and legal
obligation to evaluate the possibility of child abuse. It is important to
consider this possibility, especially if there were no witnesses to your
child's injury.
If you think your child has been abused, it is your responsibility to
call your health professional or contact the National Child Abuse Hotline and
Referral Service at 1-800-422-4453. Adults need to protect young children,
because children cannot protect themselves.
