Children's stools appear in many colors and consistencies, some of which may alarm the parents. Dark stool does not always indicate health problems. Children's stools are often influenced by the foods that they eat. According to MayoClinic.com, all shades of brown stool are considered to be normal. However, some dark stools are caused by bleeding in the digestive tract or other underlying health condition.
Importance
Stool is the waste product of the digestive system. Your overall health and diet determine the appearance of your stool. According to The Gaps Diet, Heaton and Lewis at the University of Bristol developed a stool chart that classifies stool into seven groups. The shape and form of the stool is determined by how long it remains in the colon.
Causes
There are a variety of conditions and factors that may lead to dark stool in your child. Some causes may be certain foods, gastritis, peptic ulcer, stomach cancer or gastrointestinal bleeding to name a few. Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining and is a common condition, but it may lead to peptic ulcers. Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, is caused by abnormal cell growth in stomach lining that will lead to dark stools.
Appearance
The appearance of dark stools or stools containing blood may vary. According to MedLine Plus, blood that has been exposed to digestive juices will appear tar-like. In addition, Kids Growth states that more than 90 percent of children suffering from an anal fissure may have blood in the stool. This blood will appear bright red and may only show a few flecks or streaks.
Diagnosis
Your child's pediatrician will take an extensive medical history as well as perform a complete physical that focuses on your child's lower abdomen. He will inquire about the color and consistency of the stool as well as when the symptoms developed. He will also ask what foods your child has eaten and if he is on medication or suffered any injuries. If a diagnosis cannot be established, further testing may be required.
Treatment
The cause of your child's dark stool will determine the necessary treatment. If you child's stool is dark as a result of the foods she is eating, a change in the diet may be recommended by your child's pediatrician. Health conditions that lead to dark stool and stool with blood in it may require extensive medical treatment including hospitalization for evaluation and monitoring.
