The lining of the large intestine produces mucus, which serves as a lubricant for stool to pass to the anus. Mucus can be present in stool, but when the production is increased enough that you are able to see it in your child's bowel movements, you should take him to his physician to rule out major medical conditions that can be responsible for the increased mucus production.
Shigella
Shigella is a bacteria that causes a condition called Shigellosis, which causes your child to experience diarrhea, cramping of the stomach and fever. This condition appears one to two days after being exposed to Shigella and usually resolves in five to seven days after exposure. The diarrhea that occurs may have blood and mucus present. Hospitalization may be necessary in young children if diarrhea is severe and results in dehydration. Shigellosis is known to cause seizures in children younger than 2 years old when it is accompanied by a high fever.
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Campylobacter
An infection of the small intestine caused by Campylobacter bacteria is referred to as Campylobacter enteritis. This form of bacteria causes "traveler's diarrhea" and occurs when your child eats or drinks contaminated food or water. Raw poultry, produce or unpasteurized milk can carry this bacteria, as can people or animals that have been infected. Watery diarrhea, stool with mucus or blood and abdominal pain are signs of Campylobacter enteritis. Symptoms present within two to four days after exposure and last for about a week.
Salmonella
The most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States is Salmonella. Your child may be exposed to Salmonella if she comes in contact with raw poultry, eggs, beef and unwashed fruit and vegetables. Fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, stool that contains mucus and headache are all signs your child has been exposed to Salmonella. Symptoms usually last from four to seven days and treatment is usually not necessary to recovery.
Crohn's Disease
If there is a history of Crohn's disease in your family and your child has mucus in his stool along with intestinal pain and diarrhea, you should consider the possibility that he is exhibiting signs of this disease. Crohn's disease can occur at any age and is more prominent in people of Jewish heritage. This disease is a chronic disorder that causes inflammation of the digestive tract and can affect any area of the GI tract, but it commonly affects the lower part of the small intestine.
Constipation
If your child passes a bowel movement fewer than three times per week and her stools are usually hard, dry, small in size and difficult to eliminate, she may be constipated. Hemorrhoids, tears in the skin around the anus, rectal bleeding and mucus from the anus can result when your child is constipated. Fecal impaction sometimes occurs in children when they are constipated; this impaction can be softened by administering mineral oil orally or as an enema.
