The hemorrhoids are painless bleeding during the passage of a bowel movement and itching and rectal pain. Hemorrhoids can be quite bothersome at times, causing blood loss and can become very serious if infected.
Causes
There are multiple potential reasons for the occurrence of hemorrhoids in children. They include:
Constipation: 
This particular cause tops the list of those responsible for hemorrhoids. It creates pressure and it is able to damage tissues as it attempts to pass out stool. If this child is experiencing difficulty passing a stool due to the rectal straining, he may be applying significant force onto the rectal veins situated in the vicinity of the anus. Prolonged sitting on the toilet with no success in passing stool is also associated with development of hemorrhoids in children.
Insufficient of fibrous foods, or water:
There is a shortage of high roughage foods in the child’s meals. Just like the absence liquids in a child’s diet enhances the risk of suffering from constipation, similarly, there are very few fibrous foods in the child’s diet, and which contributes significantly of the reasons for the occurrence of hemorrhoids.
Diarrhea: Just as constipation is one of the factors that form hemorrhoids, diarrhea is also one of the causes of hemorrhoids as a result of the anal area being subjected to stress due to frequent defection
Dehydration: Not drinking enough water can equally be a cause of hemorrhoids. In children, the cause of hemorrhoids may be a lack of adequate fluid and fiber, fear of using the toilet or similar situations while training in bowel control or toilet training itself.
Wrong use of bathroom: Children must also be taught the correct positions to use the bathroom, as misuse of the bathroom leads to the development of hemorrhoids.
Chronic liver failure: The second reason for the appearance of hemorrhoids in infants can be chronic liver failure. Whenever there is liver dysfunction, then the blood flowing to the liver will likely detour into other veins. The added blood flow results in more pressure from veins that are near the rectum, which is how hemorrhoids develop.
Adult hemorrhoids are a lot more common than childhood hemorrhoids. However, the manifestations of the condition are alike for both age groups.
Sign and symptoms
The main sign and symptom that a baby or toddler has hemorrhoids are the same common signs and symptoms they will experience.
Pain-free passing of blood in the child’s stool (in uncomplicated hemorrhoids) Bleeding will typically be evident as bright red streaks of blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowel following a bowel movement
Itching and irritation in the anal region that does not go away.
Pain in the rectum or anus. Kids might say it hurts to wipe after they have a bowel movement.
If you find mucus and stool on the toilet paper but no bowel movement, it may indicate bulging internal hemorrhoids.
If this leads to a blood supply stop to hemorrhoids, the child may also have worsening pain.
Risks and Complications
Although risk and complications are rare in children, the following complications would occur if the hemorrhoids remained untreated for a long time.
Your children’s body may lose blood and this may cause anemia.
A thrombosed hemorrhoid occurs when blood clots form in it. While not a fatal disease, this can be very painful and require treatment.
Cut strangulated hemorrhoid is the most painful where blood supply to the internal hemorrhoid has been cut off.
When to seek immediate medical care?
In what instance should I call my child’s health care provider?
Contact your child’s healthcare provider immediately if your child
Is unable to pass stool.
Displays signs of fever.
Has blood in the anus.
Most cases of hemorrhoids are harmless, but rectal bleeding should be taken lightly; it should be properly evaluated. Therefore, if you observe your child with any of these problems, please contact their health care provider immediately
How to relieve hemorrhoids in children at home?
In cases of mild severity, it may be appropriate for the doctor to give instructions on home care to the parents. The following home treatments are often recommended for uncomplicated hemorrhoids.
Increase fiber content in the diet and drink more fluids.
Invest in a sitting bath or soak in warm water in the anal region for 10 to 15 minutes two or three times per day.
Give the child oral pain medication as directed by the child’s physician.
Apply hemorrhoid cream or ointments as advised by the child’s physician.
Numbing pads and hydrocortisone enemas for children will be prescribed by the doctor for use as needed.
Route stool softener (balance of the product) is helpful to manage constipation associated with hard stools.
Most of the symptoms can be treated successfully at home within one week. However, using any over-the-counter treatments talk to your child’s doctor. In addition, provide for a visit by the doctor at the nearest pediatric clinic in case of severe pain, bleeding, or any other stubbornly discomforting symptom in the child.
Prevention of Hemorrhoids
The following ways may assist in averting or alleviating the hemorrhoidal manifestations in children.
Encouraging kids to eat more fibre-rich foods may ease the stool and the tension during bowel movement. Here vegetables, fruits, and whole grains come in handy as sources of fibre.
Hydration is important in order to avoid excessive hardening of the stool. You may make sure that the child is taking adequate fluids, especially with a high-fibre diet. If not, it could worsen hard stool.
Exercise—a possible remedy for constipation. It can also work for overweight kids.
It is advisable to refrain from prolonged toilet sitting since this practice may lead to increased strain and demand on the anal veins.
Likewise, avoid prolonged sitting on hard chairs or surfaces.
Encourage the child to go to the toilet if she feels it. The stool may become hard if its passing is postponed.
Do not let the child bear down and hold the breath to clear the bowel.
Dr Owais Rafiq
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