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Constipation, fecal incontinence more likely in children with ADHD

Constipation and fecal incontinence are more common in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder compared with children without, according to recent study findings published in Pediatrics.

The retrospective cohort study included 742,939 children aged 4 to 12 years, 32,773 of whom (4.4%) had ADHD, from October 2005 to September 2007.

Researchers found that 4.1% of participants with ADHD had an increased prevalence of constipation compared with 1.5% of participants without ADHD (P<.001). Participants with ADHD also had an increased prevalence of fecal incontinence (0.9%) compared with participants without ADHD (0.15%). There were more visits for constipation (incidence rate ratio [IRR]=3.39; 95% CI, 2.59-4.43) and fecal incontinence (IRR=7.74; 95% CI, 5.01-11.98) among participants with ADHD compared with participants without ADHD. However, no significant difference was found between participants with ADHD receiving medicinal therapy and those with ADHD not receiving medicinal therapy for constipation visits (P=.57) or fecal incontinence visits (P=.32).

“Having a diagnosis of ADHD increases a child’s likelihood of having constipation and fecal incontinence,” the researchers wrote. “Medical treatment of ADHD does not significantly increase or decrease visit rate for defecation disorders. Further studies regarding the effect of medical treatment of ADHD and clinical changes in outcomes for defection disorder should be performed.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.