Infant rectal prolapse: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Infant rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum protrudes outside the anus and can be seen as red, moist, tube-shaped tissue. Infant rectal prolapse in most cases occurs due to constipation, however it can also be a consequence of intestinal malformation or a parasitic infection.

This situation is more common in children up to 4 years old due to the fact that the muscles and ligaments that support the final part of the intestine, the rectum, are being formed and are not yet firmly attached to the abdominal wall.

It is important that signs and symptoms of rectal prolapse are observed and that the child is taken to the pediatrician so that a complete evaluation can be carried out and the most appropriate treatment can be indicated, if necessary.

Symptoms of infantile rectal prolapse

The main symptoms of childhood rectal prolapse are:

• Presence of dark red, moist, tube-shaped tissue outside the anus;
• Dor abdominal;
• Ardor;
• Bleeding;
• Uncomfortable in the region;
• Sensation of heaviness in the anus;
• Difficulty evacuating;
• Sensation of incomplete evacuation.

In the presence of signs and symptoms of childhood rectal prolapse, it is important that the child is taken to the pediatrician so that the diagnosis can be made and treatment can be started.

Causes of childhood rectal prolapse

Infantile rectal prolapse is more common in children under 4 years of age, being more common in boys than girls and can happen due to several situations, the main ones being:

• Constipation with very hard and dry stools;
• Excessive effort to evacuate;
• Decrease or lack of strength in the anus muscle;
• Malnutrition;
• Dehydration;
• Infection by parasites;
• Cystic fibrosis;
• Inflammatory bowel disease.

Infant rectal prolapse can be identified by a pediatrician or coloproctologist by observing the presence of dark red, tube-shaped tissue outside the anus. Furthermore, it is possible to check the presence of blood in the stool, abdominal discomfort and changes in bowel habits, for example. See how to identify rectal prolapse.

What is the treatment like?

In most cases, childhood rectal prolapse resolves spontaneously as the child grows and the muscles and bones in the region are strengthened and are able to support the rectum. Therefore, it is only recommended to be monitored by a pediatrician who, in some cases, may have to insert the prolapse in its correct location.

However, when the prolapse does not regress naturally, is extensive and causes a lot of discomfort in the child, it may be necessary to insert the rectum manually by the doctor or, in more serious cases, through surgery, which consists of sewing the rectum to the sacrum. However, there are other surgical techniques that can be used, so the pediatric surgeon must choose the best surgery option according to the type of prolapse the child has. Understand how rectal prolapse is treated.