BLOOD IN THE STOOL (Birth-12 Months)
What is happening inside my baby's body?
You may find blood mixed into the stool, coating the stool, or next to the stool on the diaper. The blood can appear bright red; as brown flecks resembling coffee grounds; or black like tar.
The coffee ground and black colours result from old blood passing slowly through the intestine. The black colour is expected during the passage of meconium but should not return thereafter. Bloody stool can also look uniformly maroon like the colour of currant jelly.
The source of the bleeding can often be determined from its colour - a sign of how old the blood is and how long it has been In the intestine. If the blood is mixed in with the stool, then it is likely that the bleeding is coming from the intestine. If it appears around or next to the stool, however, then it is more likely that it originated from the skin around the anus, appearing after the stool passed through the intestines. This is called an anal fissure.
Foods are among the most common causes of blood (or mucus) in the stool. Among foods, cow's milk is one of the biggest offenders. Formulas made from cow's milk, or breast milk from mothers drinking and eating dairy products, can be the culprit. This is especially true if the child has other signs of allergy, such as eczema.
Though cow's milk is among the most common food sensitivity, many different foods can cause blood (or mucus) in the stool. Some bottle-fed babies have blood with both cow's milk and soy formulas. These children often do well with elemental formulas, which are made with cow's milk but are predigested so that the intestines do significantly less work breaking down the milk. These formulas are also typically hypoallergenic, with fewer additives that can cause intestinal irritation.
What can I do?
The first time you see blood in the stool, you should call your doctor. If possible, save the diaper with the bloody stool so that the doctor can see where the blood is relative to the stool.
When does my doctor need to be involved?
Call your doctor anytime you see blood in the stool for the first time. If you see copious amounts of blood; if the blood persists; or if the child seems pale, lethargic, or significantly irritable, then contact your doctor immediately.
What tests need to be done, and what do the results mean?
Tests are done based on the appearance of the child and the way the blood looks in the stool. Blood that is around the edges of the stool or separate from it altogether is likely the result of an anal fissure.
What is happening inside my baby's body?
You may find blood mixed into the stool, coating the stool, or next to the stool on the diaper. The blood can appear bright red; as brown flecks resembling coffee grounds; or black like tar.
The coffee ground and black colours result from old blood passing slowly through the intestine. The black colour is expected during the passage of meconium but should not return thereafter. Bloody stool can also look uniformly maroon like the colour of currant jelly.
The source of the bleeding can often be determined from its colour - a sign of how old the blood is and how long it has been In the intestine. If the blood is mixed in with the stool, then it is likely that the bleeding is coming from the intestine. If it appears around or next to the stool, however, then it is more likely that it originated from the skin around the anus, appearing after the stool passed through the intestines. This is called an anal fissure.
Foods are among the most common causes of blood (or mucus) in the stool. Among foods, cow's milk is one of the biggest offenders. Formulas made from cow's milk, or breast milk from mothers drinking and eating dairy products, can be the culprit. This is especially true if the child has other signs of allergy, such as eczema.
Though cow's milk is among the most common food sensitivity, many different foods can cause blood (or mucus) in the stool. Some bottle-fed babies have blood with both cow's milk and soy formulas. These children often do well with elemental formulas, which are made with cow's milk but are predigested so that the intestines do significantly less work breaking down the milk. These formulas are also typically hypoallergenic, with fewer additives that can cause intestinal irritation.
What can I do?
The first time you see blood in the stool, you should call your doctor. If possible, save the diaper with the bloody stool so that the doctor can see where the blood is relative to the stool.
When does my doctor need to be involved?
Call your doctor anytime you see blood in the stool for the first time. If you see copious amounts of blood; if the blood persists; or if the child seems pale, lethargic, or significantly irritable, then contact your doctor immediately.
What tests need to be done, and what do the results mean?
Tests are done based on the appearance of the child and the way the blood looks in the stool. Blood that is around the edges of the stool or separate from it altogether is likely the result of an anal fissure.
SHARE
