Dr. Robert Needlman
Specialist in pediatric behavior and development.
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 Ask Dr. Needlman
A 10-Year-Old Who Soils His Pants | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Needlman,
What do you do when your 10-year-old is soiling his pants and you've already exhausted all of your options from your doctor?
— chrissy in lemoore | | | ANSWER |
February 28, 2001 | | | Dear Chrissy,
Soiling in a ten-year-old is a serious matter, primarily because children with this problem are almost always teased and cut off socially. It really is terrible for their self-esteem. They often pretend that it doesn't bother them, but that is never true.
There are a number of possible medical and psychological causes for this problem. It may take a very thorough medical history, physical examination, and possibly testing to get to the heart of the matter and begin to solve it.
If your child's primary-care doctor has tried unsuccessfully, then it is important that you get a second opinion. A specialist in developmental-behavioral pediatrics would be a good choice. Most pediatric gastroenterologists also are very familiar with this problem.
Your child might well adopt an attitude of "It's hopeless, why do anything?," but you need to stay optimistic. Don't give up. The fact that you see this through will make a very big difference in your child's life.— by Robert Needlman, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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