Image: ©iStockphoto.com/kate_sept2004
Constipation is defined as:
one or two bowel movements per week
three or fewer bowel movements per week
Even if your child is having one bowel movement every other day, he or she still may meet criteria for constipation. Constipation involves three or fewer bowel movements per week.
four or fewer bowel movements per week
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What is meconium?
hard, dark colored stool
mushy, light brown stool
thick and dark green colored stool
A newborn's first bowl movements are thick and green colored. This form of stool is called meconium.
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Which of the following babies is more likely to have constipation issues?
a baby who is formula fed
a baby who is breast fed by a mother who does not get enough fiber
both of the above
A formula-fed baby has harder stools and is more prone to constipation than a breast-fed baby. However, it is essential that a nursing mother gets enough fiber in her diet to prevent constipation in her nursing child.
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What ingredient in baby formula leads to constipation in formula fed infants?
iron
lactose
both of the above
Both lactose and iron can contribute to constipation in formula fed babies. It is essential, however, that your infant get iron-fortified formula.
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What is the desired stool consistency for infants who eat solid foods?
soft
Pay attention to your infant's stool consistency once you introduce solid foods into his or her diet. Their stools should remain soft and easy to pass.
between soft and firm
firm
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Periods of constipation in childhood are relatively normal. You should become concerned, however, if you child's constipation lasts longer than:
one week
two weeks
Your child may have chronic constipation if constipation occurs longer than two weeks.
three weeks
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What might happen if your child has chronic constipation?
Your child will likely do permanent damage to his or her colon.
Your child may avoid passing bowel movements.
A child with chronic constipation has painful and hard-to-pass bowel movements. Therefore, a constipated child will likely try to avoid passing these painful bowel movements.
Your child will likely develop ulcers.
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How can you decrease the incidence of constipation in your child?
Make sure your child gets plenty of water each day.
Make sure your child is eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.
both of the above
Your child's diet is essential for decreasing the incidence of constipation. Make sure your child drinks a lot of water each day. Your child's diet should also include recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
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Most children with gastrointestinal reflux disease:
grow out of it by their first birthday
Gastrointestinal reflux disease does not just occur in adulthood. Children develop this condition due to their immature digestive systems, but most children will grow out of this disease by their first birthday.
grow out of it by adulthood
continue to have lifelong reflux problems
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What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease in childhood?
diarrhea and heartburn
vomiting, coughing and respiratory problems
The symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux disease in children are not the same as in adults. Children with this disease typically experience vomiting, coughing and respiratory problems.
constipation and stomachaches
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Kidney stones are:
more common in children
more common in adults
Kidney stones occur less often in children than in adults. Children that develop kidney stones may have a family history of kidney stone disease.
equally common in both children and adults
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What can be found in the urine of a child that has kidney stones?
fecal matter
calcium
Calcium, xalate, cystine or uric acid are typically found in the urine of a child with kidney stones.
protein
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A child who has kidney stones likely has symptoms typically associated with:
urine infections
Childhood urine infection and kidney stone symptoms are very similar, such as frequent urination and pain during urination.
leaky gut syndrome
diabetes
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What may place a child who has had kidney stones at future risk of developing more kidney stones?
diabetes
a metabolic disorder
It's important that your child gets assessed for metabolic disorders if he or she has kidney stones. A metabolic disorder would place your child at risk for developing future kidney stones.
an immune system disorder
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What should be changed in your child's diet if your child has had kidney stones?
water intake
Above all else, you should increase your child's water intake if he or she has experienced kidney stones.
fat intake
grain intake
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How does a doctor diagnose kidney stones?
X-ray
ultrasound
either of the above
A diagnosis of kidney stones in a child can be made either with an X-ray, ultrasound or CT scan.
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Why is it important to know your child's type of kidney stones?
It can provide clues as to whether your child has other digestive disorders.
It can determine your child's risk of developing future kidney stones.
It determines how your child's diet should be changed to prevent future kidney stones.
It's important for your doctor to determine the type of kidney stones, as this can help prevent future kidney stones in your child through specific diet changes.
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Children with kidney stones rich in calcium should avoid:
dairy products
vitamin D supplements
both of the above
Children with calcium kidney stones should eat more fruits and vegetables. They should also avoid dairy products and vitamin D supplements.
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Children with kidney stones that have high levels of oxalate in their urine should avoid:
strawberries and sweet potatoes
nuts, citrus juices and chocolate
both of the above
Children who have kidney stones and high urine oxalate levels in their urine should avoid a variety of foods, including strawberries, sweet potatoes, nuts, citrus juices, chocolate, cocoa, pepper, parsley, beets, spinach and dill.
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Children with kidney stones will likely develop:
future kidney stones
Although children with kidney stones are at increased risk of developing future stones, this can be adequately prevented with diet.
long-term complications
gastrointestinal problems
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