Anal fistula in children and infants

An anal fistula may be congenital (present at birth). Or it may occur after an anal abscess, infectionof the anal canal, or surgery. An anal fistula may also be due to a disease such as an intestinal disorder.

Anal fistula is treated with surgery, but the type of surgery depends on the type of fistula. It may require more than one surgery, and in the case of an infant, breastfeeding is encouraged because breast milk is easy to digest.

Symptoms of an anal fistula can include:

-Pain in or near the rectum.

-Excretions that may contain blood, pus, or both.

-Rectal Bleeding.

-Urinary problems.

The main concern with an anal fistula is the infection and the build-up of pus, which may cause redness, swelling, or soreness in or near the anus or rectum. The child may accordingly develop have a high temperature.

Long-term care depends on the type of fistula and the success of the surgery. Some children may be given a special diet to help them regulate bowel movements.

Home Care:

Your child may be prescribed medications such as pain relievers and antibiotics. Follow all instructions when giving these medicines to your child.

-If your child has surgery, recovery instructions might include:

-Monitoring the surgery site for signs of infection.

-Sit in a warm bath 3 or 4 times a day.

-Wearing a pillow over the anal area until healing is complete.

-Eating a diet rich in fibre.

-Drinking plenty of fluids.

-Using  laxatives as needed.

-After treatment, you may be asked to keep a record of your child's bowel movements.

When do you go to the doctor?

- If your child has a high temperature.

-Abnormal bowel movement.

Symptoms that may indicate a return of the fistula:

-Pain, redness, swelling, bleeding, or bleeding near an incision or stoma, or near the anus or rectum.

-Abdominal pain that does not respond to treatment or does not go away after a few hours.

-Flatulence in the abdomen that does not go away after a few hours.

-Mucus, pus, or blood in the stool.

-Non- stop vomiting.