Finding blood in a toddler’s stool can be alarming for any parent or caregiver. However, it is generally easy to treat bloody stools at home after consulting a pediatrician.
Bloody stools are often a sign of an underlying condition, such as an anal fissure. A pediatrician will likely diagnose the cause with a brief exam.
Common causes of blood in toddler stool resolve on their own with at-home remedies. In some instances, blood and stool tests might also be necessary to find the right treatment.
Read on to learn more about when to seek emergency medical help, the symptoms and types of bleeding, causes, tests, and treatments for bloody stool in toddlers.
A person should seek emergency medical support if their toddler has bloody stools and the following symptoms:
Bloody stool is not necessarily a sign of an emergency. However, parents or caregivers should seek immediate medical attention if a toddler is also clearly ill or not acting normally.
Determining the cause of blood in a toddler’s stool can be difficult. People should have their children examined by a medical professional to determine why their toddler is passing bloody stool.
A toddler’s bloody stools may result from a common condition, such as anal fissures or constipation.
In rare cases, bloody stools could signal a more severe issue involving gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding.
An anal fissure is a tear or a split in the skin found on the anus. Toddlers may get anal fissures from passing a large stool or excessive diarrhea. Harsh wiping can also cause anal fissures.
If a toddler has an anal fissure, this can cause bleeding when they pass a stool.
To try and prevent anal fissures in toddlers, a caregiver can try the following tips:
Constipation is a regular occurrence for people of all ages, and toddlers are certainly no exception. Children
If constipation continues, a toddler may develop
On the opposite end of the stool spectrum, toddlers can also develop diarrhea. Toddlers who experience
Diarrhea could be a reaction to an unknown food allergy or a symptom of a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease. People who notice chronic diarrhea in their toddlers should consult a medical practitioner.
Bloody stools
The upper digestive tract includes the stomach and small intestine. The lower digestive tract contains the colon, the rectum, and the anus.
Symptoms of upper or lower GI bleeding depend on the location and quantity of the bleeding.
In children, upper GI bleeding is an uncommon but potentially serious condition.
If a child experiences any of the following symptoms, a parent or caregiver should consult a medical professional immediately:
Upper GI bleeding may be caused by:
Bleeding in the lower GI tract rarely occurs in toddlers, indicating an underlying health condition.
A child may experience the following symptoms:
If the bleeding starts further up in the lower GI tract, a child may have black sticky stools, which can sometimes look like tar and smell foul.
Other important symptoms to discuss with a doctor are the frequency of stools, abdominal pain, fever, or weight loss.
Lower GI bleeding may be caused by:
In addition to blood, specific lower GI health issues can cause mucus in a toddler’s stool. For instance, toddlers who are allergic to cow’s milk may pass stools containing both blood and mucus.
However, a toddler could also eat something that turns their stool a red color. They may consume:
Only a medical professional can identify the cause of a toddler’s red or bloody stools and determine whether these stools indicate a health concern.
A parent or caregiver should consult a pediatrician whenever a toddler passes bloody stools.
Although many cases of bloody stools in toddlers are not a cause for concern, it is always a good idea to seek a doctor’s opinion.
If a toddler is also showing any sudden changes in mood or behavior, a person should consider visiting urgent care or an emergency room.
Medical professionals can diagnose conditions such as anal fissures and constipation following a routine visual exam. They may also ask for a stool sample to test for parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses.
These routine procedures are enough to make a formal diagnosis in many cases.
For more serious conditions, a doctor may order the following tests:
These tests can give doctors a clearer picture of what is causing a toddler’s bloody stool.
Most treatments for bloody stools in toddlers are routine and straightforward. Anal fissures, for example, are typically treated with dietary changes or topical ointments.
Doctors
A doctor will also recommend increasing the intake of water and fiber. This can help a toddler produce softer stools that are easier to pass.
In cases of lower GI bleeding, toddlers may need additional medical support. Toddlers who have a milk protein allergy will need to avoid foods or formulas that contain cow’s milk. However, a caregiver should not make any drastic dietary changes without first consulting a pediatrician.
In some cases, bloody stool may signal
Sometimes toddlers may pass bloody stools, but these are usually not a cause for alarm. Common conditions such as constipation and diarrhea often resolve with time and home-based care.
Some instances of bloody stool in toddlers may signal a more serious condition. A person should take a toddler to a medical professional if they show other worrying signs and symptoms.
Regular consultations with a pediatrician can help parents and caregivers support their toddler’s health through a case of bloody stools.
Last medically reviewed on December 22, 2021
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