A young boy with stool soiling

Encopresis is an elimination disorder in which an individual has recurrent passage of feces into inappropriate places such as their clothing or the floor that is not due to the physiological effects of a substance or another medical condition aside from constipation. The child must be at least four years of age or the equivalent developmental level. The most common cause of functional encopresis is constipation with overflow incontinence. It typically occurs in children between the ages of five and 10 years. It often occurs during points of childhood transition, for example, when the child starts school. A medical history and physical examination by a pediatrician or pediatric gastroenterologist are required to rule out gastrointestinal or other causes of encopresis. The primary treatment of encopresis is treatment of constipation through the use of laxatives and dietary modifications. Behavioral therapy may also be necessary to help break the cycle of stool withholding.