Constipation 2

My son who has CdLS is 11 years old. He had GI surgery over a year ago. Why would his stool be green and hard? He also has lots of cramping in his lower stomach. He is also experiencing burning sensations in his throat again and having frequent ear infections.

The usual cause of green, hard stool would be constipation. Cramping could accompany this. I usually recommend dietary intervention for constipation, such as increasing fiber, water/fluid intake and decreasing foods that cause constipation (e.g. BRAT diet – bananas, rice, applesauce, toast). Because this patient has had abdominal surgery, the abdominal pain could possibly be related to that – e.g. adhesions from surgery can cause acute abdominal pain, although constipation should not occur with this (this would be very rare).

The pain in the throat sounds like reflux – could the original Nissen have become loosened? Probably the original gastroenterologist and/or pediatric surgeon should reevaluate him to rule out these things, and then constipation could be addressed if nothing else appears related. Recurrent ear infections are common, and can be medically treated with prophylactic antibiotics or by placement of tubes in the ears by an Ear Nose and Throat specialist.

CP/TK 7-13-10