Children who suffer from constipation may be at risk of developing severe symptoms, according to findings published in the journal Pediatrics. This is because researchers have found several contributing factors that worsen the digestive disorder, and are often over looked.

First, the recent study showed that a growing number of children who consume low amounts of fiber and water are more likely to have these severe side effects. Also, the researchers have found some physicians believe constipation is temporary in children, and changes in diet as they age will rid of the problem.

Furthermore, despite suffering from chronic constipation, children often go undiagnosed, which delays treatment and causes side effects to worsen.

This research was conducted based on a previous study that showed 25 percent of adolescents diagnosed with chronic constipation as they age will have the digestive disorder when they reach adulthood.

Maria Oliva-Hemker, lead author of the study, concluded that “the reality is that too many children are either not treated at all, start treatment too late or are treated inadequately, lead to persistent, severe and chronic constipation.” She added that this health problems “needs to be treated early and aggressively.”

Each year, approximately 4 million people in the U.S. suffer from frequent constipation, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.