In this description of the treatment and follow-up of children's encopresis, the integrated medical and psycho-social approach is emphasized. Also described are a number of issues which, to the authors' opinion, are crucial for the psycho-social care within a medical organization. Finally the varied elements which form a part in the treatment of encopresis are discussed. A plea is made for the setting of a limited goal in treatment. The study makes clear that a significant number of cases are not able or do not want to let themselves being helped by the existing professional channels. Nevertheless the symptom disappears after some time in a number of cases of the non-treatment group. In the treatment group there was seen after treatment not only the disappearance of encopresis but also less prevalence of other symptoms.