A concise, evidence-based medical tool that saves you money

Question:

If I think my child has constipation, should I get an xray of his/her abdomen?

Answer:

No
MedHead Confidence Score: 7
Amount Saved: $350 abdominal xray cost post
Med-O-Meter

7

MedHead Message:

You may have heard me say it before—Too much of a good thing can be bad. Same goes for uncomplicated abdominal pain likely from constipation in children. If there are no red flags like unintentional weight loss, a “surgical” abdomen (severe tenderness from even the slightest palpation of the abdomen), or severe vomiting/diarrhea, then just don’t do it. What happens is some otherwise totally benign finding may lead to further testing and a lot more money being spent by you just to find out that your child is “backed up” by fecal matter. Stool impaction is no laughing matter though, as the colon has very sensitive pain fibers that trigger when the colon is stretched out. Miralax and magnesium do well in children, with the ocassional enema if needed. Save the money on the x-ray to buy a bunch of high fiber foods to keep those bowels moving!

References:

Do not obtain abdominal radiographs for suspected constipation.

https://www.newchoicehealth.com/x-ray/cost

 

Become A MedHead Today!