“Alteration in bowel elimination”is a common nursing diagnosis of the child with myelomeningocele. This study aims to identify the critical defining characteristics of the diagnosis. A review of literature cites multiple physical and psychosocial factors which cause and define bowel elimination problems. Most of these characteristics are also identified in the study findings. Data collection involved 33 parents of children with myelomeningocele in an outpatient clinic setting. Information was elicited by interview and by questionnaire regarding types of bowel problems encountered in their children, causes and management of bowel problems, and parent attitudes. Of the 28 children with abnormal bowel functioning, the most frequent bowel problems cited were incontinence (67%), diarrhea (64%), and constipation (61%). Most children had experienced three different bowel problems (33%), followed in frequency by two problems (30%), four or more (15%), one (12%), and none (9%). Specific causes of each problem were identified, ranging from decreased activity, to changes in diet, drugs, illness, and deviations from training programs. Parents also provided information on how they dealt with bowel problems. Bowel training techniques, alterations in diet, and use of drugs, as well as behavioral management techniques were described. Results of the attitude survey revealed that parents felt positively about their ability to solve bowel problems in their child. At the same time, they perceived these problems to be important to their child's functioning.