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Table 1 Paediatric Rome III criteria* for childhood constipation

From: The effect of pelvic physiotherapy on reduction of functional constipation in children: design of a multicentre randomised controlled trial

Must include two or more of the following in a child with a

developmental age of least four years

1

Two or fewer defaecations in the toilet per week

2

At least one episode of faecal incontinence per week

3

History of retentive posturing or excessive volitional stool retention

4

History of painful or hard bowel movement

5

Presence of a large faecal mass in the rectum

6

History of large diameter stools that may obstruct the toilet

  1. *Criteria fulfilled at least once per week for at least two months prior to diagnosis, with insufficient criteria for diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome.