Bowel Management Program in Children with True Fecal Incontinence and Its Efficacy on Their Quality of Life: Zagazig University Experience

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Pediatric surgery department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University

2 Pediatric surgery department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Egypt

3 Pediatric sugery Department, faculty of medicine, zagazig university

4 Pediatric surgery, faculty of medicine, Zagazig university

5 Pediatric surgery department, Faculty of Medicine zagazig university

Abstract

Background:

Fecal incontinence (FI) in children significantly affects physical, emotional, and social well-being, particularly in those with anorectal malformations (ARM), Hirschsprung’s disease, and other congenital anomalies. Bowel Management Programs (BMP) provide a non-surgical strategy to achieve continence and improve psychosocial outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured BMP on the quality of life (QoL) in children with true FI following surgical treatment for ARM, Hirschsprung’s disease, or sacrococcygeal teratoma.

Methods:

A prospective case series was conducted at the Pediatric Surgery Department, Zagazig University Hospitals, including 26 children diagnosed with true FI. Patients were classified according to colonic motility into Group A (hypomotile colon) and Group B (hypermotile colon). All participants underwent a three-month BMP tailored to their colonic motility pattern. QoL was assessed before and after intervention using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL 4.0).

Results:

Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in physical, emotional, social, and school functioning after BMP (p < 0.001). While the hypomotile group exhibited slightly greater post-BMP scores, intergroup differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). A positive correlation was found between patient age and enema volume requirement. Loperamide was used selectively in hypermotile cases to enhance continence outcomes.

Conclusion:

A structured, individualized BMP leads to significant QoL improvement in children with true FI. Optimal results require a multidisciplinary, family-centered approach tailored to colonic motility patterns.

Keywords: fecal incontinence; bowel management; anorectal malformation; quality of life; pediatric surgery

Keywords

Main Subjects

Zagazig University Medical Journal
Volume 31, Issue 11
November 2025
Pages 5218-5228

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics