Blood in your child's stool can be a shocking discovery. Although this is a common experience in children, you should investigate the cause of the bleeding and alert a physician if blood, or the appearance of blood, is found. Your child's pediatrician will do routine tests to confirm the prescence of blood and may explore further resources to find the reasoning behind it. Be sure to bring your child's stool sample with you for the doctor to evaulate.
Anal Tears
If the blood in the stool is bright red, it is likely due to a problem in the large bowel, rectum or anus. According to the Seattle Children's Hospital, more than 90 percent of children with bloody stools and no diarhea are diagnosed with anal tears. This is also known as an anal fissure and is caused by hard stools being passed.
Bowel Inflammation
Your child can sometimes develop an inflammation in the lining of his bowel. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are common forms of inflammatory bowel disease and according to MedlinePlus they will usually present with maroon or bright red blood in the stool. Inflammatory bowel disease is often associated with diarrhea, weight loss and decreased appetite. You should set up an appointment for a doctor visit If any of these symptoms accompany the bloody stools as this can be serious situation.
Polyps
Kids that are between the ages of two and eight are at risk for developing juvenile polyps. These polyps grow on the lining of the intestine and can cause bleeding. The color of the blood will be bright red or maroon. Juvenile polyps are rarely cancerous, but they need to be removed and tested in most cases. The physician that is notified can determine the procedure warranted following an exam.
Bowel Obstruction
A bowel obstruction occurs any time the bowel is blocked. This can happen due to intussusception, volvulus and even from constipation in children. A bowel obstruction is a serious medical risk for the child and he may appear extremely ill if an obstruction develops. If your child has bloody stools and has severe abdomen pain, lethargy, projectile vomiting or fever, he may have an obstruction.
Foreign Body
Children are notorious for putting things into their mouths. If your child can talk with you and blood is found in his stool, you should ask if they have swallowed anything. Foreign bodies can cause blood in the stool, especially if the swallowed object has any sharp edges to them. If the object tore the lining of the esophagus or stomach the blood would be dark. If the tear was located in the large bowel, rectum or anus, the color would be bright.
