When no other treatment works, enemas are beneficial for your child with chronic constipation. You can perform an enema on your child at home, but it's advisable to see a pediatrician first. Your pediatrician may advise your child to have enemas every day at home to remove impacted stool from the colon or remedy for fecal incontinence. Learn how to give an enema to your child at home with the complete guide.

Pediatric Enema at home: Everything you need to know

What is Enema?

An enema is a technique in which a fluid or laxative is inserted into the rectum via a tiny tube to draw out feces. If your kid suffers from persistent or chronic constipation, your doctor may advise you to perform enemas at home to alleviate the discomfort. Your doctor may also suggest an enema for the following reasons:

• Before surgery or bowel testing to get your kid's intestines empty
• Give medicine to assist in seeing the colon via X-rays, often known as a barium enema
• Stool continence treatment

Types of Enemas

There are three types of enemas: cleansing Enema, retention enema, and barium enema:

Cleansing Enema

A cleaning enema cleanses and expels out the bowels. Some solutions serve as stimulants, irritating the colon's lining and causing stool to pass. Other remedies draw water into the feces, softening it and causing your rectum to expand and bloat. The digestive system acts by squeezing rectum muscles and pushing the stools out of the body.

The constituents of the solutions that are used in the cleansing enema include:

• Saline water
• Glycerin
• Castile soap
• Docusate sodium
• Phosphate solution
• Sodium citrate

Retention Enema

Retention enema includes inserting a liquid or drug into the rectum and leaving it in place for an extended duration, generally for a night. The fluid softens and thickens up the feces. Moreover, it can cure colon disorders or wash out the intestines. The softened stool then easily passes through the rectum out of the body. Medications used in the retention enema include mineral oil and medicines like prednisolone.

Barium Enema

A tiny tube will be inserted into your kid's rectum by the X-ray specialist. The barium covers the colon lining, creating a clear image of the gut that is ordinarily difficult to view on an X-ray.

How to prepare an enema solution at home?

It is better to use standard saline enemas that can be prepared at home. The pediatrician will provide you with particular instructions for the kid's Enema. To achieve a successful elimination of stool, the enema fluid may need to be supplemented with glycerin, castile soap, or phosphate. Here is how you can prepare a standard saline enema solution:

• To prepare an ideal saline concentration, mix one teaspoon of table salt in 1000 ml of water.
• Use the quantity of saline as advised by the physician and mix it with the given components.
• The Enema will be given via a soft Foley catheter that you can easily insert into your kid's rectum. This Foley catheter tube is about 4 inches in length.

Materials required to give an enema at home?

It might take an hour to finish a pediatric enema at home. You must have a private toilet before you start the procedure. Make sure you have private access to a toilet before you begin. You can give an enema at home, but if you aren't comfortable, it is better to consult your doctor. Assemble your materials before you begin. You will require:

• Enema bag
• Enema solution
• A large towel
• Tip and silicone tubing
• Petroleum jelly
• Enema video guides

How to give an enema to your child at home?

Follow these steps to perform an enema:

1. Before you begin, try to apply pressure on your child's bladder so that it is empty to relieve some of the pressure on the colon.
2. Seal the tube and pour the solution into the enema bag. Follow the instructions given on the packaging.
3. Spread the towel on the floor and make your kid lie on their left side, knees to their chest, and hips upwards. Play cartoon videos or books for distraction to give an enema to an uncooperative child.
4. Raise the enema bag and release the clasp.
5. Push the solution in gradually till the bag is empty.
6. Hold your kid in this posture for 20 to 25 minutes. Keep the butt cheeks tight so that they don't push the solution out.
7. After 20 minutes, make them sit in the toilet for 30 minutes until the solution has been expelled and the intestines are empty.
8. Dump disposable items and thoroughly clean your equipment with hot water and soap

Side effects of Enema

Enemas are safe and effective when done correctly and used only as a last option or as prescribed by your doctor. There may be some adverse effects, such as:

Electrolyte Imbalance

Long-term enemas can cause an electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. Enemas that include phosphate enemas can potentially result in abnormal levels of phosphate in the body.

Discomfort

Pressure increases when fluid is added to the colon and rectum, pp. It gives a greater desire to pass feces, which can be unpleasant for your child. Bloating and cramping may occur due to the fluid, but these symptoms disappear after your kid makes a bowel movement.

Colon tear

A mishap while inserting a catheter into the rectum may tear the wall of the colon, which can leak feces and air into your child's body.

Imbalance in gut bacteria

Enema can also cause an imbalance in the beneficial bacterial population in the gut. It can cause further digestive problems.

Conclusion

Enema is an effective way to treat some colorectal conditions, such as constipation. However, it is critical to proceed with caution and only if advised by a pediatrician. This guide is enough for you to learn how to give an enema to your child at home. However, you must see a pediatrician for assistance to guarantee a safe and successful enema.