Rectal bleeding in children

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Rectal bleeding in children

Blood in the stool is more of a concern in young children than in older children and adults. Bleeding in the digestive tract may be present if there is more than a streak of blood on the surface of the stool or on the diaper. A visit to a doctor is needed immediately.

Since blood acts as a laxative and an irritant, it will cause your child to pass any hard, dry stools that are in the digestive tract. Bowel movements will then become looser and more bloody. Depending upon where the blood is coming from (usually in or below the stomach) and how quickly it is moving through the digestive tract, the blood may be bright red, reddish brown, black, or tarlike (tarry).

A visit to a doctor is needed immediately if your child is passing stool that looks like red jelly. This type of stool may indicate that a portion of the intestine has telescoped into another segment of the intestine (intussusception).

If your child has significant bleeding in the digestive tract, you will notice a moderate to large amount of blood in the child's stool (enough to leave a pinkish or red stain in the diaper or turn the water in the toilet bowl red). This can be caused by swelling, irritation, or infection.

Credits

Last updated:	February 16, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer