RFSymptoms: Safety netting advice
ChildrenConstipation
DATE LAST REVIEWED: 05/11/2026
When to seek further review
- Arrange GP review if your child may be constipated; do not rely on diet changes alone when symptoms persist.
- If prescribed a bowel clear-out treatment for a build-up of poo, arrange review within 1 week. Ongoing laxative treatment also needs regular review as agreed with the clinician.
- Get urgent advice today for vomiting, increasing tummy swelling, significant pain or poor feeding.
- Get prompt assessment if constipation began in the first weeks of life, there is poor growth, or there is unexplained blood in the poo.
- Do not wait for the suggested review time if symptoms become worse, new symptoms appear, or you are worried.
- Contact your GP when the surgery is open. If it is closed, you cannot get the help you need, or you are unsure what to do, call NHS 111. You can call even if you are not sure whether the symptoms are serious.
When to get emergency help
(Immediately dial 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department)
- Severe or sudden tummy pain with a swollen or hard tummy.
- Green vomit, or repeated vomiting with increasing tummy swelling.
- Being unable to pass wind or poo with severe pain or swelling.
- A large amount of bleeding from the bottom, black sticky poo, or vomiting blood.
- Severe difficulty breathing, pauses in breathing, grunting, or the skin pulling in deeply under or between the ribs.
- Being very difficult to wake or unresponsive.
- Being unusually floppy, confused or not responding as usual.
- Blue, grey, very pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue.
How to spot sepsis
Sepsis is a life-threatening reaction to an infection. It can get worse quickly. If someone is seriously unwell and may have sepsis, call 999 or go to your nearest Emergency Department. Do not wait for every sign, a high temperature or a rash.
An unwell child under 5 who has not had a pee or wet nappy for 12 hours needs emergency assessment. If you are unsure and there are no emergency signs, call NHS 111 for advice.
Sources
- NHS - Constipationhttps://www.nhs.uk/baby/health/constipation-in-children/
- NICE CG99 - Constipation in children and young peoplehttps://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg99/chapter/Recommendations
- NHS - Fever in childrenhttps://www.nhs.uk/symptoms/fever-in-children/
- NHS - Sepsishttps://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sepsis/
- NHS - When to use NHS 111https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care-services/when-to-use-111/