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Encopresis

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  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders

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Synonyms

Fecal incontinence; Soiling

Short Description or Definition

Encopresis, as defined by the DSM-IV-TR (American Psychiatric Association [APA] 2000), consists in the repeated passage of feces in inappropriate places. Although soiling is usually involuntary, it may be intentional in some cases. Soiling must occur once a month for at least 3 months and the chronological age of the child must be at least 4 years. In the case of children with developmental delays, a mental age of at least 4 years is required in order to characterize for a diagnosis of encopresis. Any physical disorder, explaining incontinence, must be ruled out and the soiling should not be due to the direct effects of a substance (e.g., laxatives).

Categorization

Encopresis can be categorized as primary or secondary. In the case of primary encopresis, the fecal continence has never been obtained; and in secondary encopresis, there has been a period of fecal continence (defined as having reached continence for at...

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References and Readings

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Child and Adolescent Service, Polyclinic Gipuzkoa, Paseo Miramón, 174, 20014, San Sebastián, Spain

    Irma Isasa

Authors
  1. Irma Isasa
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Correspondence to Irma Isasa .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Yale Child Study Center, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

    Fred R. Volkmar

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Isasa, I. (2017). Encopresis. In: Volkmar, F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_408-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_408-3

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