In children with high imperforate anus, their quality of life (QOL) is directly related to their success or failure in attaining fecal continence (FC). At the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 120 patients were treated for high imperforate anus. Sixty-one patients were available for long-term follow-up ranging from 2.5 to 24 years. The patients were analyzed in three separate time periods. The purpose of the study was to (1) establish a reproducible quantitative and qualitative scoring system for evaluating QOL; (2) identify clinical techniques for maximizing fecal continence; and (3) develop an algorithm for long-term management of children with persistent fecal incontinence. QOL scores and FC scores were similar for males and females. Patient age, however, proved to be a particularly important factor in QOL. As the length of follow-up increased, there was a significant difference in the percentage of those patients with a QOL score higher than FC score; 57% for the youngest patients v 15% and 7% for the older patients (P less than .01). Ninety-two percent of patients who were 10 years old or less had very supportive families. These families used a number of stratagems to minimize incontinent problems: liners in underpants, enemas, meticulous perineal hygiene, and avoidance of certain foods. After 10 years of age, a child's FC score became a major determinant of his QOL. Older children with fecal incontinence could no longer be shielded by parents and were not well tolerated by teachers and peers. From this study, an algorithm is proposed for children with impaired FC.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)