Because your child may not be effective in explaining symptoms to your, your child’s stool can give you some hints as to how she is feeling. Diet changes, lack of fluid, stress and even food colorings can affect your child’s stool. Understanding when it’s time to notify your child’s pediatrician about stool changes can help you keep your child healthy.
Color Considerations
Most color changes to your child’s stool, including a stool that is red, green or black, is due to food coloring or food additives present in your diet, according to Dr. Barton Schmitt, a pediatrician at Children’s Hospital Colorado. Food colorings present in red gelatin, black licorice, green fruit snacks or fruit juices can turn your child’s stool an abnormal color and appear alarming, yet are rarely an indicator of an underlying condition.
Color Exceptions
Although there are a few exceptions, such as if your child has light gray or pale yellow stools due to blocked bile ducts, abnormally colored stools that can be traced back to diet are not cause for concern. If your child has an abnormally colored stool that lasts beyond 24 hours -- green-colored stools may be an exception because this food coloring type lingers longer -- you may wish to see your child’s physician. Observe his other symptoms as well. If he has other symptoms associated with illness, such as fever or a stomachache, you may need to see his pediatrician.
Constipation
Constipation is a condition where you child experiences infrequent or irregular bowel movements. Your child’s stool may appear abnormal if she has constipation because the stool may appear very small and/or dry. In most instances, constipation is dietary-related, not a symptom of an underlying condition, according to Today’s Parent. Constipation in your child can indicate a lack of fiber and/or fluids in your child’s diet as these two components can help to relieve constipation. Monitoring how often your child passes a stool and knowing the appearance of your child’s stool can help you explain your child’s condition to her physician.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome or IBS is a condition that causes stomach pain, bloating and abnormal stools in children and adults. If your child’s stool appears loose, hard, thin or pellet-like, this can be an indicator your child has IBS. Other symptoms include if your child frequently feels bloated or has what appears like mucus in his stool. Talk to your physician if you suspect your child may be experiencing IBS.
References
- UpToDate; Patient Information: Constipation in Infants and Children; George Ferry, M.D.; May 2011
- Children's Hospital Colorado; Stools - Unusual Color; Barton Schmitt, M.D.; October 2010
- Today's Parent; Children's Health Guide; 2006
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; Irritable Bowel Syndrome in Children; November 2008
