Rectal prolapse in children, which occurs when the rectum protrudes out through the anus, is common in children up to 3 years of age, due to the fact that the muscles and ligaments that support the final part of the intestine, the rectum, are in formation and still are not strongly attached to the abdominal wall.
Thus, during the development of the child, the rectum walls are loose and unfixed, causing prolapse of the rectum, especially if the child has frequent diarrhea.
Other possible causes of rectal prolapse in children may be constipation with very hard and dry stools, with effort to evacuate, malnutrition, dehydration and infection by parasites such as amebiasis or giardiasis.
Treatment for children's rectal prolapse
Treatment for childhood rectal prolapse usually includes insertion of the rectum into the anus by compression of the buttocks against one another or manual insertion by the pediatrician. Learn more at: What to do in case of rectal prolapse.
With the child's development, the rectum will attach properly to the wall of the intestine, so surgery is usually not necessary.
Useful links:
- Retinal Prolapse
- Symptoms of rectal prolapse
