The agonizing cry of a toddler in distress is a sound no parent ever wants to hear. For one young boy, Ivan Novak, that cry stemmed from a truly shocking cause: severe constipation that had a devastating impact on his tiny body.
Imagine the sheer discomfort and pain. Doctors were astounded to discover that a significant portion, estimated to be around one-sixth, of little Ivan's 12kg body weight was comprised of fecal matter. This massive build-up was crushing his internal organs, leading to a harrowing experience for both Ivan and his family.
The ordeal began with seemingly inexplicable symptoms. Ivan's mother, Elissa, initially struggled to understand the source of her son's pain. She noticed he was constantly vomiting, a symptom that, while concerning, didn't immediately point towards the underlying cause: a severely impacted bowel.
Driven by a mother's instinct, Elissa repeatedly sought medical help for her son. She recounted taking Ivan to the hospital up to four times a week, desperately seeking answers and relief for his suffering. The constant worry and uncertainty took a heavy toll.
The eventual diagnosis revealed the shocking truth: Ivan's constipation was so severe that his colon was pressing against his lung and stomach, effectively compressing his internal organs. This explained the vomiting and the agonizing pain he was experiencing.
Elissa described the sheer physical impact of the constipation, stating that Ivan's stomach was "squashed" and his organs were being "pushed out of the way." This created a domino effect, disrupting the normal functioning of his body and causing immense discomfort.
The family's experience in the emergency room was often protracted and frustrating. Elissa recounted spending up to 12 hours at a time in A&E, waiting for an enema to provide some relief to her son. The waiting, coupled with Ivan's obvious pain, was emotionally draining.
Ivan's suffering was constant. Elissa described him as either screaming in pain or lying listlessly due to weakness. The once vibrant toddler was reduced to a state of near-constant distress, a heartbreaking sight for his mother.
"It was a very horrible time," Elissa shared, emphasizing the trauma experienced by everyone involved. The family's life was consumed by Ivan's condition, and the uncertainty surrounding his health created a deeply stressful environment.
Elissa, who resides in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, expressed her sadness that Ivan had been "robbed" of his toddler years due to his debilitating condition. Instead of enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood, he was battling chronic pain and discomfort.
The peak of Ivan's suffering occurred in 2022 when he was admitted to the hospital a staggering 25 times over a six-month period. This highlights the severity of his condition and the constant need for medical intervention.
Photographs of Ivan during this period reveal the extent of his suffering. His stomach was visibly swollen due to the constipation, a stark visual representation of the pressure his internal organs were under. This physical manifestation of his illness underscored the urgent need for treatment.
Even simple tasks became monumental challenges for Ivan. Elissa described how the toddler struggled to lift himself up during the worst months, highlighting the debilitating effect of the constipation on his physical strength and mobility.
After countless visits to the GP and the A&E department, doctors finally determined that Ivan's entire colon had been affected by the constipation. This diagnosis marked a turning point, paving the way for targeted treatment and management of his condition.
Elissa believes that the delayed diagnosis could have been fatal if it had been any later. This underscores the critical importance of early detection and intervention in cases of severe constipation, especially in young children.
One of the contributing factors to the delay in Ivan's diagnosis, according to Elissa, was his pre-existing genetic conditions that affected his cognitive skills. This highlights the potential for biases in the healthcare system when dealing with individuals with disabilities.
Elissa recounted a disheartening experience where her son's cries were dismissed as simply "what disabled children are like." This underscores the need for healthcare professionals to be attentive and thorough in their assessments, regardless of a patient's background or pre-existing conditions.
She further shared that one consultant even stated that "disabled children just scream," a remark that reflects a lack of understanding and empathy. This highlights the importance of challenging assumptions and ensuring that all patients receive the care and attention they deserve.
Elissa emphasized that Ivan's condition "wasn't looked into properly" and "wasn't taken seriously until he was really at crisis point." This underscores the need for improved awareness and understanding of constipation in children, particularly those with disabilities.
According to the NHS website, key symptoms of constipation in children include having fewer than three bowel movements per week, stools that resemble "rabbit droppings," straining or pain during bowel movements, bleeding during or after bowel movements due to hard stools, and a poor appetite or stomach pain that improves after a bowel movement.
The NHS also notes that in children over one year old, soiled pants can be another sign of constipation, sometimes caused by runny poo (diarrhoea) leaking out around the hard, constipated stool. This is known as overflow soiling.
Following his diagnosis, Ivan was prescribed laxatives, and his condition is now managed with daily bowel washouts. While his journey has been challenging, these interventions have significantly improved his quality of life. According to Bladder and Bowel UK, approximately 1.5 million children in the UK suffer from constipation, highlighting the prevalence of this issue.
Alarmingly, the number of children aged up to 16 being admitted to hospitals for constipation is at a 10-year high. Official NHS figures reveal that in the year 2023-24 alone, there were over 44,000 admissions related to constipation. Davina Richardson, a specialist nurse from Bladder and Bowel UK, suggests that constipation is not always considered a "serious" issue by some healthcare professionals.