Causes of Bloody Stools in Infants

If you have entered recently into Parenthood, you must be aware of the fact that babies poop a lot. And that’s quite a normal thing. But, streaks of blood in your baby stool is alarming. 4 out of 10 babies have blood in their stools at least once during infancy.

Bloody stool is caused due to various minor conditions like hemorrhoids, constipation, anal fissures etc. But there might be more serious issues like bleeding in intestines and other major infections that cause bleeding. Such issues must be taken care of and the good idea is to take your baby to the doctor for treatment.

Let us now have a look at all the possible causes of Bloody Stool in babies

#1. Constipation
Babies have immature digestive system due to which many of them suffer constipation. It may be a possible cause of blood in baby’s stool. Constipated babies strain to poop. This causes blood streaked stools as hard poop cause tiny tears in anus known as anal fissure. Generally, anal fissure heal on their own but they may cause an open wound. This wound when exposed to bacteria causes infections. So, it is necessary to make diet changes to reduce the risk of constipation. Ask your doctor for medicines to relieve constipation.

#2. Stomach Infections
Many stomach infections cause bloody stool in babies. Stomach infections are usually common in preterm babies. You may also notice diarrhea and swollen stomach during infection. If you notice your baby passing bloody stool and refusing to eat, it’s time to take him to the doctor. If not treated on time, such infections may cause life threatening diseases.

#3. Blood in Milk
When mother have cracked or infected nipples, blood gets passed to the breastmilk. Breastfeeding babies may swallow this blood which makes their stool reddish. So, if you have an injured nipple, get it treated asap as it may cause severe infections to your little one.

#4. Diarrhea
Diarrhea with blood is a sign of a bacterial infection. These conditions often settle on their own but diarrhea causes dehydration in babies so it is necessary to seek for medical care.

#5. Hemorrhoids
Sometimes a swollen vein outside or just inside the anus may cause bleedintlg when baby poops. Parents may notice streaks of blood due to hemorrhoids. This condition generally resolves on its own and do not require any urgent intervention.

Treatments

All bloody stools not necessarily require a medical treatment. Homerrhoids and anal fissures go on their own but because babies are prone to infections, it is necessary to ask doctor and find out the exact reason. Treatment depends upon the reason of bleeding and may include:
● Bathing creams or ointments for pain treatment due to hemorrhoids
● Antibiotics for infections
● Electrolyte drinks and other fluids to treat dehydration caused by diarrhea.
● Change in diet.

Call emergency if:

● Baby has bloody diarrhea
● Baby Has fever along with blood in stools
● Baby Seeme lethargic and very sick
● Baby has swollen stomach and red streaks of blood.

Bloody stools indicate a temporary issue and are not immediately life threatening. However it is important to go to your doctor and diagnose the exact cause.

Happy Parenting!