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Encopresis Diary

Soiling or encopresis means having a bowel movement (BM) in the underwear. If your child has recurrent soiling, please collect the following information for three bouts of soiling before you call your child's healthcare provider to make an initial or follow-up appointment. This information may be very helpful to your healthcare provider in reaching a correct diagnosis.

Time and Place

Date:

Time of day:

Place (home, school, etc.):

People present:

Description of Soiling

How much? (1 = small smear, 5 = full bowel movement):

Consistency (loose or solid):

Who recognized it (you or your child)?

Triggers for Soiling

Activity at time of soiling:

Food eaten before the soiling (within 4 hours):

Was your child upset or angry before the soiling?

Had your child been corrected recently?

Was your child holding back before the soiling?

Use of the Toilet

Did the soiling occur while your child was on the way to the toilet?

Did it occur after he used the toilet?

Did your child use the toilet? If so, what were the results?

Your Observations

What do you think was the cause of the soiling this time?

Written by Barton D. Schmitt, MD, author of “My Child Is Sick”, American Academy of Pediatrics Books.
Published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2009-08-13
Last reviewed: 2011-06-06
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
© 2011 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved.
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