Encopresis is the involuntary soiling of stool in a toilet-trained individual. This often occurs in constipated individuals who have passage of liquid stool around constipated stool burden, known as overflow incontinence.

The hallmark symptom is stool leakage. When concurrent with constipation, children may report abdominal pain, distension, and straining with defecation at times.

Many conditions can predispose to constipation and, subsequently, encopresis due to overflow incontinence. These include poor hydration, a low-fiber diet, slow bowel transit, and withholding stool due to behavioral issues. Encopresis without constipation is more often attributable to behavioral issues.