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Dr Catherine
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Girl
4-7 years

Your son may be experiencing encopresis which simply refers to uncontrolled soiling in children who are four years of age or older. For a diagnosis to be made soiling must occur at least once a month over at least a three month period, and can be voluntary or involuntary. Encopresis or soiling problems occur in 2-8% of children and is often associated with constipation or diarrhea but can result from underlying emotional causes or stress. My advice is to take your son to his GP for a full medical and behavioural assessment. Regards, Dr Cathrine