Allergy and Immunology- Asthma and Pulmonary
Program - Audiology- Pediatric
Hearing Center - BRIDGES: A Center for
Grieving Children - Cancer
- Center for Childhood
Safety - Child Abuse Intervention
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Children - Craniofacial and Plastic
Surgery - Cystic Fibrosis Clinic
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Clinic - Emergency Care
- Encopresis and
Constipation Clinic - Gastroenterology Clinic
- Genetics Clinic
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Services - Inpatient Pediatric
Services - Maxillofacial Review Board
- Medical-Surgical Unit
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Hypertension - Neuro-developmental
Program - Neurology
- Neurosciences
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Unit - Sedation Services
- Sleep Disorders Clinic
- Social Work Services
- Surgical Services
- Voiding Improvement
Program - Women, Infants and
Children Clinic (WIC)
Encopresis and Constipation Clinic
Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center is one of only two encopresis treatment centers in Washington state. At the Mary Bridge Pediatric Encopresis & Constipation Clinic (ECC), highly trained professionals and advanced technology provide the ideal setting to evaluate children with defecation disorders and offer the care needed to manage the problem closely.
Comprehensive Services
The Mary Bridge Pediatric Encopresis & Constipation Clinic offers complete diagnostic services and treatment for infants, children, and adolescents.
Evaluation and Treatment Process
A detailed history and physical exam is completed during the first visit, and the gastroenterologist or nurse practitioner will determine if further testing is needed. Some children may be referred to the radiology department for a barium enema, to check for Hirschsprung’s disease. Other children may need a rectal biopsy and/or anal rectal manometry which is performed by the gastroenterologist as an outpatient procedure. Blood work may also be necessary for further evaluation.
After a diagnosis is made by one of our specialists, a management plan for improving the child’s condition is developed and shared with the referring physician. The child may also be referred to a pediatric surgeon if needed.
Successful resolution of the problem often requires prolonged management by the physician, or nurse practitioner, and other experts. The cooperation of the family and the child is necessary, as well.
Management options for encopresis and constipation may include:
- Behavioral strategies
- Biofeedback
- Diet modifications
- Education of the family
- Enemas and oral clean-out
- Inpatient or outpatient clean-out
- Maintenance medication
- Psychology interventions
Specialists in Pediatric Care
Our unique encopresis and constipation clinic team is multidisciplinary, which includes board certified physicians specializing in pediatric gastroenterology, a pediatric nurse practitioner, pediatric registered nurses, technician, social worker/behavioral therapist, psychologist, and dietitian.
Resource for Primary Care Providers
Mary Bridge serves as a resource for referring physicians throughout the southwest Washington region. Phone consultations with one of our gastroenterologists are available to give recommendations to primary care providers prior to making a referral. Our team is committed to furthering community awareness and education of defecation-related disorders.
Links
North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition
Pediatric Encopresis and Constipation Clinic Providers
Bisher A Abdullah, MD
Lisa M Philichi, ARNP
Melawati Yuwono, MD