Blood in the Stool: How to Care for Your Child

While finding blood in your child's stool (poop) can be alarming, it is common and usually isn't due to a serious condition.

• Follow any instructions the health care provider gave you about your child's diet.

• If the health care provider prescribed medicine, give it as directed.

• Don't give your child laxatives, anti-diarrhea drugs, or other medicines unless recommended by your health care provider.

• Keep a diary of your child's bowel movements (hard or soft, more frequent or less frequent), response to any treatments or diet changes, and amount of blood you see in the stool. Bring this information to your follow-up visits.

• Your health care provider may refer your child to a specialist. Be sure to schedule follow-up visits with your health care provider or with the specialist as recommended.

Your child:

• doesn't want to eat

• loses weight

• is more tired than usual

• has a fever or vomiting

Your child:

• has a swollen, tender, or painful belly

• has an increasing amount of blood in the stool

• is very sluggish or pale

• cannot stop crying and is hard to comfort

• vomits (throws up) blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

What does blood in the stool look like? Blood in the stool can range in color from bright red to maroon to black. It might only be seen in the diaper or on toilet paper when wiping. It might be mixed into the stool, or only on the surface of the stool. Sometimes the blood isn't visible at all, but is found when a stool sample is examined in a laboratory.

What can cause blood in the stool in children? In kids, many things can cause blood in the stool, depending on the child's age. Finding the exact source of the blood isn't always easy. Blood in the stool can come from any part of the digestive tract, from the esophagus to the rectum and anus (where poop comes out). Sometimes, it can come from swallowed blood if a child has had bleeding from the mouth, throat, or nose.

Can stool look like it has blood even when it doesn't? Some foods and medicines can change the color of stool and make it look bloody. For example, beets and foods with red dyes can make stool look red, as if it has fresh blood in it. Blueberries and iron supplements can make stool look black, as if it has old blood in it. Your health care provider can test the stool to find out if there's blood in it.