Teenager dies from constipation after avoiding the toilet for 8 weeks

A teenage girl has died after suffering from cardiac arrest brought on by a chronic case of constipation.

Emily Titterington reportedly had a phobia of going to the toilet, causing her to avoid passing stools for 8 weeks.

The 16-year-old from Cornwall also suffered from autism, according to an inquest into her death.

The youngster’s bowel grew so big from withholding stools that it pressed against her chest and caused her organs to become displaced. The trauma eventually led to Emily suffering from a fatal cardiac arrest.

An inquest is currently underway to find out if Emily’s life could have been saved, despite her refusal to be treated.

Pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery confirmed that Emily’s ‘stool withholding’ had eventually caused her tragic death.

"It was like nothing I've ever seen before - it was dramatic,” she told Truro City Hall.

GP Dr Alistair James told the inquest that he had prescribed laxatives but failed to examine her abdomen.

Dr James said: "Had I done so, we would be having a different conversation.

"Her death could have been avoided with the right treatment at the right point."

According to Emily’s mother, the teenager’s habit of refusing to use the toilet for weeks at a time was ‘routine’.

When she collapsed at home in 2013, paramedics were called but were shocked when they found the condition that Emily was in.

Paramedic Lee Taylor said: "As she moved away I could see that her abdomen was grossly extended.

"Her lower ribs had been pushed out further than her pubic bone - I was shocked."

The inquest is expected to finish today.