Blood in your baby’s poop could be due to a medical problem like an infection or constipation.
It is important to keep in mind, though, that red stools aren’t always triggered by bleeding.
Some medications and red dyes in food and drink can also cause your baby’s stool to appear red.
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This article looks at some of the reasons why your baby’s stool may look red.
Most of the time, the cause is benign and the condition will clear up on its own.
Some, however, require treatment by a healthcare provider.
Bacterial Infection
Several different bacterial infections can cause this symptom, includingshigellosis,salmonellosis, andcampylobacteriosis.
Bloody stools can also be a complicationantibiotics.
Antibiotics can cause an infection of the intestinal tract calledClostridioides difficile(C. difficileorC.
The most important treatment for bacterial gastroenteritis is hydration.
Constipation
A child with constipation can have large, hard stools that are difficult to pass.
Symptoms of constipation in babies include infrequent stools and pain or crying when passing a stool.
The stool may look hard and pebbly.
Allergic Colitis
Allergic colitis is common in infants and is often sparked by cow’s milk protein.
One of the most common symptoms of this condition is blood in the stools.
A cow’s milk allergy can also cause vomiting and fussiness, especially after feeding.
Fortunately, most babies outgrow this jot down of allergy.
Swallowed blood may look like coffee grounds or it may cause the stool to look dark in color.
It should resolve once your nipples have adjusted to breastfeeding.
Necrotizing Enterocolitis
This is a condition that causes inflammation and death of intestinal tissue.
It is most often seen in premature babies.
It tends to occur in infants who are receiving supplemental iron or drinking an iron-fortified formula.
Fortunately, the reddish color goes away once your child finishes the course of antibiotics.
Ask if you’re free to bring in a dirty diaper to have it tested.
This is a simple test that your pediatrician should be able to do in their office (stoolguaiactest).
If there is blood in your child’s stool, your pediatrician will be able to provide treatment advice.
Remember also that you should always talk with yourpediatricianbefore stopping any medication that has been prescribed to your child.
Call your child’s healthcare provider if you notice a red color in their stool.
Your child’s pediatrician can test it for the presence of blood and treat the condition if required.
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