Blood In Stools

What is blood in stools?

Bloody stools also known as rectal bleeding occur due to bleeding in the digestive tract. Bloody stools may indicate bleeding in the upper or lower GI digestive tract.

The upper digestive tract includes the stomach and small intestine. The lower digestive tract contains the colon, the rectum, and the anus. The colour of the blood in the stools gives an indication of where the bleeding is coming from.

Black tarry stools suggest bleeding from the upper digestive tract. The child may also vomit blood. Possible causes include stomach or duodenal ulcers, gastritis, food allergies, celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease etc.

Bright red or maroon coloured blood indicates that bleeding is more likely to originate from the lower digestive tract. Causes include anal fissures (tear in the anus), food allergies especially cow’s milk allergy in young infants, polyps (abnormal growth in the intestine), inflammatory bowel disease and Meckel’s Diverticulum.

What are the symptoms of blood in stools?

Symptoms of upper or lower GI bleeding depend on the location and quantity of the bleeding.

In children, upper GI bleeding is an uncommon but potentially serious condition.

If a child experiences any of the following symptoms, a parent or caregiver should consult a medical professional immediately:

vomit with bright red blood
vomit with dark flecks of blood that look like “coffee grounds”
black sticky stools
abdominal pain

Bleeding in the lower GI tract rarely occurs in toddlers. However, if it happens, this indicates an underlying health condition.

A child may experience the following symptoms:

stool that contains blood clots
bright red blood from the anus
bleeding can be streaks of blood or larger clots
If the bleeding starts further up in the lower GI tract, a child may have black sticky stools, which can sometimes look like tar and smell foul.

Other important symptoms to discuss with a doctor are the frequency of stools, abdominal pain, fever, or weight loss.

What are the causes of blood in stools?

Upper GI bleeding may be caused by:

swallowing blood from injury to the mouth or a nosebleed
a viral, fungal, or bacterial infection
repeated bouts of vomiting can also cause small bleeding tears in the lining of the lower esophagus
reaction to certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs
certain liver problems due to enlarged blood vessels in the esophagus or stomach

Lower GI bleeding may be caused by:

a viral, parasite, bacterial, or fungal infection
inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
allergy to milk protein
irritation by anal fissures or hemorrhoids, often caused by constipation
growths on the lining of the intestine, called polyps
necrotising enterocolitis, a common and serious intestinal disease among premature babies that can be life threatening if not treated immediately
vascular malformations, which are abnormal clusters of blood vessels that usually occur before birth

How to treat blood in stools?

Most treatments for bloody stools in toddlers are routine and straightforward. Anal fissures, for example, are typically treated with dietary changes or topical ointments. In cases of lower GI bleeding, toddlers may need additional medical support. Toddlers who have a milk protein allergy will need to avoid foods or formulas that contain cow’s milk.

In some cases, bloody stool may signal more serious conditions, such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Treatment for these conditions may include anti-inflammatory medications as well as antibody therapy.

For more information, contact Dr Ong. Book an appointment today!