Everyone experiences bouts of diarrhea. Often, diarrhea is caused by something you ate, although it also can be related to an illness or medical condition, medications, or treatments. Such episodes usually pass in a day or two. Bloody diarrhea is different. Parents or caregivers of a newborn or infant who notice bloody diarrhea should notify their pediatrician immediately for advice.
Definition
If your newborn or infant displays symptoms of diarrhea, contact your pediatrician or family doctor. Don't wait to see if it clears up first. Diarrhea in a newborn, whether or not it looks bloody, should be assessed by your pediatrician without delay.
Possible Issues
A rise in temperature, especially above 102 degrees, or bloody diarrhea or stools, might indicate serious intestinal issues. Such signs might indicate gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammation or irritation of the intestinal tract due to an allergic reaction, irritable bowel syndrome, or viral or bacterial infection.
Causes
Bloody diarrhea in newborns or infants can be caused by functional bowel disorders. Some newborns intolerant of mother's milk or soy-based milk products, or who have allergies to milk proteins or sensitivity to formula might experience bouts of diarrhea. For many infants, the cause of bloody diarrhea is a minor gastrointestinal bleed. Ask your doctor or pediatrician for a referral to a pediatric gastroenterologist. Bloody diarrhea in newborns also can be related to medications such as heparin.
Complications
Extended bouts of diarrhea can dehydrate your newborn quickly. Newborns are especially susceptible to dehydration and might become dehydrated after only one day of diarrhea. Chronic bouts of diarrhea in an infant often indicate something serious, such as Crohn's disease, an inflammatory bowel disease, or ulcerative colitis. While infants might experience up to three bouts of diarrhea during their first year, any indication of blood in the stools or diarrhea should be addressed by your pediatrician to rule out digestive disorders, parasites, inability to absorb fats, carbohydrates, or being caused by certain medications.
