A child can withhold and postpone his/her bowel movements at _______

Encopresis is defined as passage of stools in clothes beyond an age when bowel control should have been achieved (usually 4 years). It may be retentive (associated with constipation) or non-retentive, primary (never achieved bowel control) or secondary (loss of control after an initial phase of control for at least 6 months). Primary encopresis is usually associated with constipation, while secondary is associated with significant psychological stressors. Behavioral therapy with positive reinforcement and treatment of constipation are necessary. Ref : Nelson paediatrics chapter : Groth and de