Encopresis in Children: An Overview of Recent Findings

The term ‘encopresis’, derived from ancient Greek ἐγκόπρησις / egkóprēsis, which means stool, was first introduced in 1926 by Weissenberg to describe the loss of stool in underwear as the faecal equivalent of enuresis. The soiling of underwear is defined as the accidental passage of very small amounts of faeces into underpants. Quantitatively, the content of stool between encopresis and soiling is difficult to determine, and it is especially difficult for parents assess it. Therefore, a new term was adopted – faecal incontinence – that encompasses both encopresis and soiling.

Faecal incontinence is defined as the discharge of faeces in socially awkward situations at least once per month in children ≥ 4 years old. In approximately 95% of cases, faecal incontinence in children is not organic in origin, but instead appears as a functional gastrointestinal disorder. In 80% of children with functional faecal incontinence, the symptoms are associated with functional constipation. The remaining 20% of the cases involve no signs of faecal retention and are defined as non-retentive functional faecal incontinence.

This paper aims to present the latest findings within this area of paediatric gastroenterology.