Concerned about friends' DS...

[Valerie in Chicago]

We are very good friends with another family. The dad and my DH are close friends from waaaay back. They are godfathers to each other's kids (a neat trick since we're christian and they're jewish;)). So they are very important people to us.

They have two sons. The youngest, I think 8yo, recently started, ummmm, how to phrase this... soiling himself. I don't mean wetting himself. I mean *soiling.*

When DH shared this with me, it was with a tone of concern, but not alarm. I was flat out panicked!

Any thoughts on why an 8yo boy would do this???? Should I be so freaked out?

[Jean in Newcastle]

Sounds like they need a visit to the pediatrician. It could be a bowel problem like diarhea. It could be a constipation problem that has gotten to the point where stuff "leaks" around a blockage. Or the boy could have had something that he is reacting to in his life. But for all of these, I'd start with the pediatrician to rule out physical problems.

[Perry]

The most likely explanation is constipation. But he should see his doctor.

[Whisperlily]

Sounds like they need a visit to the pediatrician. It could be a bowel problem like diarhea. It could be a constipation problem that has gotten to the point where stuff "leaks" around a blockage. Or the boy could have had something that he is reacting to in his life. But for all of these, I'd start with the pediatrician to rule out physical problems.

*nodding* Just what I was going to post. The most logical starting point is to rule out something physical.

[lynn]

It could be that he is holding is bm and there is some that leaks out. I think it's called encopresis. A visit to the pediatrician to be sure sometimes a 24hr hosiptal stay if they have become very impacted.

[Janet in WA]

We are very good friends with another family. The dad and my DH are close friends from waaaay back. They are godfathers to each other's kids (a neat trick since we're christian and they're jewish;)). So they are very important people to us.

They have two sons. The youngest, I think 8yo, recently started, ummmm, how to phrase this... soiling himself. I don't mean wetting himself. I mean *soiling.*

When DH shared this with me, it was with a tone of concern, but not alarm. I was flat out panicked!

Any thoughts on why an 8yo boy would do this???? Should I be so freaked out?You might Google "encopresis" -- you may feel less panicked to know that this isn't really an uncommon problem.

[mcconnellboys]

I would agree with the others, it seems that there could be a blockage which is causing other matter to be forced out around it as it builds up inside; or I would consider irritable bowel syndrome, as well.

Regena

[Cadam]

Are you panicked because you think there may be more than a physical problem here? You love this kid and his parents and you are really worried. I hope they take him to the dr. and find a physical problem that is easily fixed. I am sure it is very distressing to your friends as well.

If they find no physical problem then all you can do is be supportive of your friends while they try to figure this out. I am guessing they would not be such good friends if you thought they were the kind of people who could inflict this kind of emotional stress on their kid. Keep your trust in them and just be their friend. If someone else really is hurting their child they will need a good friend like you to help them through it all.

[lynn]

There might not be a specific why. My son just didn't like the "feeling" of pottying. Which made no sense because the alternative seemed worse. With my son we figured it he became constipated and it hurt to go when he was really young and became scared after that.

[Daisy]

My brother did this until well past 14. As a matter of fact, he still has to watch his diet. It is hereditary. It has something to do with sphincter muscle. My poor brother was soo ashamed. BTW, he didn't start having a problem until he was around 6-8 years old. My parents did take him to a doctor. If it becomes uncontrollable with diet, surgery can be performed.