Constipation is the painful passage of bowel movements or having infrequent bowel movements. Children 1–4 years of age typically have a bowel movement 1–4 times a day. If not daily, more than 90% of children go at least every other day, although these children may be constipated. When children are constipated for a long time, they may begin to soil their underwear. This fecal soiling is usually involuntary and the child has no control over it.

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