The appearance of blood and mucus in a baby's stool can be frightening for parents. Most cases of blood and mucus are harmless to the baby and either go away on their own or are easily corrected. However, parents should report any blood and mucus noticed in a baby's diaper to a doctor.
Causes
While the specific cause of blood and mucus in a baby's stool sometimes can't be determined, some potential causes are common, according to Kellymom, a website devoted to breast-feeding and parenting. An anal tear, food allergies or intestinal infections are common causes. In a breast-fed baby, the cause can be an oversupply in the mother or blood from cracked or bleeding nipples that has passed through the baby's system. Intestinal disorders such as colitis are another potential cause.
Types
Small streaks of red blood and mucus in a baby's stool can indicate a problem in the anus or rectum, which is the lower end of the intestinal tract. Blood and mucus that come from higher up in the intestines tend to appear darker, sometimes even black.
Response
According to Healthy Children, spotting blood or mucus in the stool shouldn't necessarily be panic-inducing, especially if little blood or mucus is present and the baby seems otherwise happy and healthy. In cases like this, a call to the doctor is warranted, but a visit to the emergency room is not necessary. Increasing levels of blood and mucus, bloody stool accompanied by other symptoms or the occurrence of copious amounts of red stool should be reported to a doctor immediately.
Treatment
Treatment for blood and mucus in a baby's stool depends on the cause. Some breast-feeding mothers can eliminate the problem if they stop eating foods such as dairy or if they treat underlying conditions such as an oversupply of breast milk. In other cases, such as an infection or internal problem of the bowels, a physician must treat the baby. Medication or surgery can be required if the cause is determined to be serious.
Warning
Dark red blood mixed with mucus in the stool, often described as resembling currant jelly, can be a sign of a serious disorder called intussusception. This disorder occurs when part of the intestines slips down around the following part. Other symptoms of intussusception include severe pain that presents as loud crying in infants, abdominal swelling, vomiting, lethargy and grunting. Because intussusception can rapidly progress and become fatal, babies who exhibit these currant jelly stools need immediate emergency medical care and should be taken to an emergency room.
