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The article aims to provide a state of knowledge in the literature on encopresis in the child psychiatric population. The general definition of the symptom and its analysis are presented according to different approaches. Then, the clinic of encopresis is described according to its specificities. The main associated disorders and psychiatric/psychosocial risk factors are discussed in detail. Regarding patient care, the multidisciplinary approach, including the complementarity with the paediatrician, is essential in a number of cases. Finally, family approach and the impact of trauma would be interesting research perspectives.

Constipation is a common childhood problem, with both somatic and psychological effects. The etiology of paediatric constipation is likely multifactorial, and seldom due to organic pathology. Children benefit from prompt and thorough management of this disorder. The goal of treatment is to produce soft, painless stools and to prevent reaccumulation of feces. Education, behavioural modification, daily maintenance stool softeners and dietary modification are all important components of therapy. Fecal disimpaction may be necessary at the outset of treatment. Investigations are rarely necessary. Polyethylene glycol is a safe, effective and well-tolerated long-term treatment for constipation. Regular follow-up for children with constipation is important. Referral to a gastroenterologist should be made in refractory cases or when there is a suspicion of organic pathology.

Faced with a child's psychosis--and its occurrences--the psychologist must remain humble. Team work will help to modify the massive transference which sometimes binds the psychologist to the psychotic subject (erotomania or persecution).

Beware not to confuse talk about children with children's talk: this should be the golden rule for childhood professionals. Agitation and somatization disrupt the functioning of what is called the functional spheres. The child eats poorly, sleeps poorly, and has problems controlling his sphincters. He presents symptoms that the growing importance of education in today's modern world can no longer neglect. The diversity of the circumstances in which the child is recognized as "disruptive" shows just how much the borders between children and adults are permeable. The disruptive child is also a child disturbed by the adult world in which he is evolving. The author supports his hypotheses with several examples from his practice as a psychoanalyst.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are very frequent in myotonic dystrophy but largely unrecognized. They can be the revealing factors of the disease. We report 2 cases of 10 and 17-year-old children with persistent encopresis starting at the age of 3 and 5 years in spite of laxative treatment. Neurological examination and anorectal manometry provided the diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy. Procainamide treatment was introduced and the digestive symptoms improved. Any child with encopresis should have complete evaluation to rule out the diagnosis of myotonic dystrophy and physicians should look for upper and/or lower gastrointestinal symptoms in every patient with myotonic dystrophy.

Encopresis most often results from functional constipation and a behaviour disorder characterised by retention of faeces. Rarely it is a passive or active expulsion of normal faeces. It indicates a failure in the education of sphincter control, often with a preferential development of autoerotic versus relational investments. A depressive component is frequent. We propose a bidisciplinary approach with a somatic and psychological evaluation of the encopretic child from the first visit. The physical examination assesses constipation and stercoral stasis. Associated psychopathological symptoms or a pathogenic psychosocial situation must be sought. The therapeutic means must be directed towards the different etiologic features. Explanations of the physiopathology of the symptom and discussion with the child and the parents on the origin of the dysfunction must be accomplished first. A medical treatment of the constipation is generally indicated. Psychotherapy is initiated according to the background and associated psychopathological symptoms.

Chronic constipation with or without encopresis is often associated with abnormal defecation dynamics evidenced by manometric study and possibly manageable with biofeedback treatment.Twenty-six children more than 5 years of age suffering from constipation with or without encopresis for at least 6 months were treated with biofeedback plus lactulose; 15 of them were also given psychiatric attention. Pressure recordings from the internal and external sphincters in response to transient balloon distension of the rectum were obtained in all patients as did the recto-anal inhibitory reflex and the rectal sensitivity.Sixteen patients were considered as definitely cured or improved with this management; two others had relapses 6-12 months later and five were not improved; the three remaining patients were lost for follow-up.As already reported, biofeedback treatment represents an interesting role in management of such children.

Ano-rectal manometry is a way of investigation for ano-rectal sphincters. The author overviews anatomical and physiological bases. The manometric technique and its applications in children with Hirschsprung disease or chronic constipation--with or without encopresis--is related.