"What Are the Consequences of Severe Chronic Constipation in Babies?"
Severe chronic constipation in babies may lead to anal fissures, hemorrhoids, perianal abscesses, intestinal obstruction, and other illnesses. Parents should promptly take their babies to the hospital for examination and treatment under the guidance of a doctor after clarifying the underlying causes. Here are some possible conditions:
1. Anal Fissures
If babies frequently consume difficult-to-digest foods or drink insufficient water, it may lead to dry stools that can damage the skin around the anus during defecation, causing bleeding, pain, and, in severe cases, anal fissures with symptoms such as painful bowel movements and bleeding.
2. Hemorrhoids
Since the blood vessels around the baby's anus are not fully developed, prolonged bowel movements can cause local blood vessel congestion and the formation of blood clots, leading to hemorrhoids. When hemorrhoids appear around the anus, they may cause difficulty in defecation. If left untreated, they may cause anal swelling, pain, and other symptoms.
3. Perianal Abscess
Babies who frequently consume difficult-to-digest foods, such as fatty meats, may accumulate food residue in the rectum. When feces cannot be expelled, it can cause bacterial infections, leading to perianal abscesses. If not treated promptly, the abscess may rupture, discharge pus, and cause symptoms such as fever.
4. Intestinal Obstruction
Severe chronic constipation in babies can prevent the normal passage of intestinal contents through the intestines, causing abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, and constipation. As the condition progresses, the intestinal contents may completely block the intestines, causing intestinal obstruction, which can disrupt intestinal blood circulation, resulting in intensified abdominal pain and vomiting.
Apart from the above conditions, severe chronic constipation in babies may also lead to rectal prolapse, anal papilla inflammation, and other illnesses. Parents should promptly take their babies to the hospital for examination, including blood routine tests and rectal digital examination, to clarify the specific causes and receive targeted treatment under the guidance of a doctor.