Pediatric Bowel Management Program

Your child’s quality of life is the top priority of the Pediatric Bowel Management Program at Rush. Led by one of the nation’s leading experts in bowel management, Mary Beth Madonna, MD, the program provides personalized care for kids who are struggling with fecal incontinence, diarrhea, constipation and other bowel management challenges. Program director Beth Nanney, APN, and Madonna work together to provide the best possible outcomes for kids in the program.

Our No. 1 goal is to help your child be socially continent – allowing them to participate in everyday activities accident-free.

doctor working with smiling child

Our care approach

At Rush, we understand that bowel management is a family affair. We will work with you and your child to develop a personalized care plan that meets your child’s — and your family’s — specific needs and preferences. We are dedicated to educating and empowering both kids and their families to best manage these often complex conditions.

Some treatments we offer include the following:

  • Nutritional counseling and diet changes
  • Laxatives and enemas
  • Pelvic floor therapy and biofeedback

Beyond medications and therapies, we will also work with you to address your child’s social and emotional needs.

Remarkable Care for Kids

Intensive bowel management program

Rush offers a week-long intensive bowel management program — and follow-up schedule — that focuses on helping your child achieve social continence. More than 95% of kids who go through our program achieve social continence.

Care close to your home

Our bowel management specialists are accepting new patients. They are available to see your child at convenient locations in Chicago, Elmhurst and Naperville.

Multidisciplinary care

Specialists in the Pediatric Bowel Management Program at Rush work closely with pediatric physical therapists, pediatric surgeonspediatric gastroenterologists, pediatric urologists, pediatric psychologists and others to address all aspects of your child’s care.

Child life specialists

We also work closely with child life specialists at Rush who can help your child learn how to effectively cope with bowel management challenges.

Related Information

Learn more about how our expert Child Life Services team can help your child cope with health challenges they face.

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Pediatric Bowel Management Program Care Locations

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Naperville