Constipation is very common in children and can be characterized by decreased frequency of bowel movements (≤2 times/week); dry, hard stools; difficult (laborious, time-consuming) bowel movements; painful bowel movements; and a sense of incomplete bowel movements. The prevalence of constipation in children is reported to be 0.7% – 29.6% (median 12%), 90% of which are functional constipation. The diagnosis of functional constipation in children is mainly based on the Rome III criteria. The North American Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology and Nutrition developed guidelines for the diagnosis and management of functional constipation in children in 1999, which were updated in 2006 and again in 2014; the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) treatment strategy for functional constipation in children in the UK mainly includes basic treatment, pharmacological treatment, behavioral treatment, surgical treatment and follow-up. The basic treatment is based on family education, dietary modification and lifestyle changes. It is necessary to drink sufficient amount of water (including water and juice in food), balanced diet (encourage breastfeeding and increase the intake of dietary fiber), appropriate exercise, and reasonable toilet training (children over 4 years old, toileting after each meal for 5 – 10 min per day). If basic treatment is not effective for 2 weeks, drug treatment should be started. Oral osmotic laxatives (polyethylene glycol or lactulose) or rectal laxatives are preferred for 3–6 d to relieve fecal impaction and restore regular and comfortable bowel habits as soon as possible. After laxative treatment is completed, maintenance therapy is started to prevent reaccumulation of stool. Maintenance therapy includes dietary modification, medication and behavioral therapy, and can last for 2 months. The medications used during the maintenance phase can be osmotic laxatives, stimulant laxatives, stool softeners or rectal administration. Osmotic laxatives are ions or molecules that are not readily absorbed by the intestine, creating an osmotic recurrence in the intestinal lumen and keeping water in the bowel; and increased water-expanding intestinal probiotics for functional constipation may be beneficial, but lack a high-quality evidence-based basis. Medication should only be considered for dose reduction if it is effective for 2 consecutive months, and should not be stopped abruptly. The dose reduction can be maintained for several months to observe changes in stool looseness and frequency until good bowel habits are established. Surgical treatment is suitable for refractory constipation, such as drug treatment is ineffective, long-term constipation or those who need manual laxation, can be taken to cascade colonic enema (cecum stoma) or sigmoidectomy. The treatment of constipation is long-term and usually easy to recur, parents may seek treatment in multiple hospitals, so follow-up is particularly important. Family education and health education should be emphasized to guide a reasonable diet and lifestyle, and the application of non-pharmacological therapies should be emphasized. We should also pay attention to the warning signs and symptoms of constipation and correct the diagnosis in a timely manner. In addition, multidisciplinary association should be strengthened to improve the diagnosis and treatment of functional constipation in children.