Diarrhea, Age 11 And Younger: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

You have answered Yes to:

Are your child's stools black or bloody?

See significance of black or bloody stools if you need information to help you answer the question below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

Note:

Certain foods and medicines also can change the look of your child's stool. Taking medicine containing bismuth subsalicylate (such as Pepto-Bismol) or iron tablets can make the stool black, and eating lots of beets may turn the stool red. Some food colorings also can change the color of your child's stool. Eating foods with black or dark blue food coloring can turn your child's stool black.

Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Note:
Do not allow your child to eat until you have talked with your child's doctor. You may give your child sips of water or oral rehydration solution (ORS).

Yes

Does your child have black or bloody diarrhea, but does not have signs of shock?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

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Last updated:	April 28, 2008
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

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