Mapping the Evidence for Inpatient Management of Fecal Impaction in Children: A Review

Inpatient management of pediatric fecal impaction is effective for acute disimpaction but is characterized by heterogeneity in practice and limited long-term benefit. High rates of reimpaction and health care reutilization highlight the need for standardized criteria to guide hospitalization decisions and for evidence-based care models that reduce unnecessary admissions. Future research should prioritize multicenter studies to establish consensus definitions and evaluate long-term outcomes.