encopresis
Last reviewed 01/2018
Encopresis is is the voluntary or involuntary passing of faeces, usually into clothing, after the age at which bowel control is usually achieved, in the absence of a known cause for the condition. The term includes the passage of faeces anywhere other than in the toilet.
Bowel control is usually achieved by the age of three, and soiling at the age of four or above is usually considered abnormal.
The prevalence of this condition is unclear but has been estimated at about 1% of 5 year olds. The condition is more common in boys than girls.
Other figures are:- 2.3% of boys and 0.7% of girls aged 7 1.3% of boys and 0.3% of girls aged 10