Bowel Management Program
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At CHOC, now part of Rady Children’s Health, we understand the challenges families face when a child struggles with bowel control or other complex colorectal and urogenital conditions. Our specialized bowel management program combines expert medical care, individualized treatment plans, and ongoing family support to help children achieve predictable bowel control and greater confidence in their daily lives. Whether your child is recovering from surgery or managing a lifelong condition, our multidisciplinary team is committed to helping them thrive.
Why choose Rady Children’s Health for bowel management?
When it comes to pediatric bowel care, experience matters. Our program brings together leading specialists and proven treatment approaches to deliver personalized care and long-term success for children with bowel management challenges. At Rady Children’s Health, we provide:
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to each child’s unique needs and goals.
- Multidisciplinary care from pediatric colorectal, gastroenterology and nursing specialists.
- Advanced motility testing to guide accurate diagnosis and treatment.
- Expertise in complex bowel disorders, including chronic constipation and fecal incontinence.
- Evidence-based therapies designed to improve bowel control and quality of life.
- Ongoing support and follow-up to help children achieve long-term success.
What is bowel management?
Bowel management is typically the first-line approach to helping children achieve improved bowel control and continence. Whenever possible, our goal is to begin with the least invasive treatment options first, using an individualized bowel management plan and making adjustments based on
your child’s response.
While many children are able to make meaningful progress through bowel management, some children may continue to have difficulties achieving the desired results. If bowel management continues to be unsuccessful, our team may recommend bringing your child in for an in-person
evaluation.
Why is bowel management important?
Effective bowel management can reduce symptoms, improve continence and help children gain greater confidence in their daily lives.
By creating a personalized plan that works for your child’s needs and lifestyle, we help families achieve lasting success and a better quality of life.
What we treat
Our program provides specialized bowel management support for children with conditions including:
- Anorectal malformations
- Hirschsprung Disease
- Neurogenic bowel
- Fecal incontinence and soiling
- Functional constipation
Every child’s needs are unique. Our team works with your family to evaluate your child’s diagnosis, medical history, bowel habits, and goals to inform their care and support the best possible outcomes.
Additional testing for bowel control
If your child continues to have difficulty with bowel control despite a bowel management program, your care team may recommend additional testing. These tests provide more information about how the colon, rectum, and pelvic muscles are working and help guide treatment decisions.
Anorectal manometry measures how the muscles and nerves around the rectum and anus work together. A small, flexible tube is used to evaluate muscle strength, sensation, and reflexes that help control bowel movements. The test is usually performed without anesthesia and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
A Sitz marker study shows how quickly stool moves through the colon. Your child swallows a capsule containing tiny markers that can be seen on X-rays taken over several days. The results help identify whether constipation or slow movement of stool through the colon may be contributing to bowel control problems.
Colonic manometry evaluates how well the muscles of the colon move stool forward. A small catheter is placed in the colon to measure muscle activity, usually while your child is asleep or sedated. The results can help determine whether changes in treatment or additional interventions may be beneficial.
This version keeps the clinical accuracy while making it much easier for parents to scan and understand.
Starting a bowel management program can feel overwhelming, but you are not alone. Our dedicated colorectal team is here to partner with your family, answer your questions, and provide support every step of the way. To help families navigate this journey with confidence, we created the Continence Optimization and Management Program for Pediatric Anorectal Support Services (COMPASS).
What is COMPASS?
COMPASS is a structured, physician-led bowel management approach designed to help children achieve better bowel control, greater independence, and an improved quality of life. Families benefit from:
- A 2-week individualized virtual treatment plan
- Management by a dedicated colorectal nurse practitioner
- Regular check-ins with colorectal specialists
- Ongoing follow-up and support
Our fully virtual care approach allows our team to work closely with your family while you remain in the comfort of your own home. Throughout the program, we will monitor your child’s progress and make adjustments to their bowel management plan as needed.
How to apply
To help us best support your child, please complete the application form with information about your child’s condition and previous treatments. Our team will review your child’s medical history and any additional records needed to better understand their diagnosis and current bowel management needs. Having this information available in advance helps us determine the most appropriate next steps for your child.
All required records and preparation materials must be completed and submitted at least one month before the start of treatment to allow sufficient time for review by our colorectal team.
If your child is not a candidate for this treatment, our team will continue to support your family by providing additional guidance, services, and resources. If space is limited, your child may be placed on a waitlist and considered for participation in the following quarter.
We are committed to supporting your child and family every step of the way. If you have questions or need assistance at any point during the application process, please contact our team.
- Email: [email protected]
- Phone number: 714-509-4099 Option 2, Option 5
