A study concerning constipation in children has been carried out in the University Department of Pediatrics and in the Division of Pediatric Surgery of Parma with the aim of reaching an homogeneus approach: it has been applied to 20 children up to now observed for such a problem. According to clinical and anamnestic criteria, children were divided into 3 groups on the basis of different degree of constipation: 1) moderate, 2) mild, 3) severe. Children belonging to the 2nd and 3rd group underwent barium enema and rectal manometry; two cases of ultrashort Hirschprung's disease and 7 cases of functional megarectum were diagnosed. Different treatment have been employed for each group and good results were observed in 18 cases. The AA. briefly discuss the different aspects concerning constipation and its therapy in childhood including diet, drugs, psychotherapy and surgical treatment.