Newborn constipation, also known as "anal atresia," refers to the condition where an infant does not pass stool within two to three days after birth. If the constipation in a newborn is caused by fasting or anal atresia, it should be considered separately and is not discussed in this article.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Fetal Heat Congestion︰After birth, the infant does not pass stool for two or three days, refuses to breastfeed, is restless and cries frequently with loud cries, has a red face and dry lips, abdominal distension and fullness, scanty dark urine, and purple stagnant finger veins. This is mostly due to fetal heat accumulating in the intestines and stomach qi stagnation, or because the fetus inhaled filthy turbidity during childbirth, causing dysfunction of the large intestine's conduction. A red face, dry lips, loud cries, abdominal distension and fullness, and purple stagnant finger veins indicate a heat pattern and excess pattern. Treatment should focus on clearing heat to dissipate masses and promoting bowel movement, using the formula One-Pinch-Amount Gold.
2. Insufficient Fetal Endowment︰After birth, the infant has no bowel movements for two or three days, with mental fatigue, timidity, weak crying, pale complexion, and faint fingerprints. This is due to the mother's weakness, the infant's insufficient innate endowment, deficiency of qi and blood, lack of intestinal lubrication, and stagnant qi movement, leading to constipation. The pale complexion, weak crying, mental fatigue, timidity, and faint fingerprints indicate a deficiency pattern (with some excess). The treatment should focus on nourishing original qi and warming to promote bowel movements, using the Dugshen Decoction.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. "One Hundred Questions on Pediatrics: Constipation": "In children, large intestine heat is due to heat in the lungs that flows into the large intestine, leading to constipation and blockage, which is a sign of substantial heat."