Blood in Child’s Stool: Causes and When to Seek Medical Help Nothing shocks parents more than finding blood in the stool of their kids. It is natural that the first thing coming to mind is, ” Is my child having some serious problem”, but do not panic. In most instances, bloody stools do not indicate anything serious and may mean just a few diseases, such as anal fissures caused by hard stool or food allergies. Causes of Blood in Stool ? Anal fissures -this happens due to constipation. When a child is constipated, they try to push stool to pass, and this causes injury (a small tear) to their anus, resulting in bleeding in the stool. 90% of the children who are experiencing blood in the stool tend to have anal fissures. Colitis : when the large intestine or colon of a child becomes inflamed, this condition is called colitis. This allows bacteria to grow in the inflamed area, worsening the situation, and can cause blood in the stool. Several studies indicate the link between colitis and gene variation in ulcerative colitis. If a parent has inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), then there is a chance that you might pass to your children. Causes of Blood in Stool Crohn’s disease : this is a condition in which a child develops ulcers in the small and large intestine. This erodes the inner lining of the digestive tract, which causes blood in the stool. If the condition is not treated on time, then it can wear away the muscle layers and damage the blood vessels. But the scary part is, in severe cases, the ulcer can completely damage the wall of the stomach or intestine, allowing digestive content leaks into the abdominal cavity. Allergies : Some children are allergic to some foods, which causes blood in the stool. Their immune system reacts to the food allergens, causing inflammation, irritation, and damage to the intestine. As a parent, you may have noticed that your child gets constipated after eating some specific food items. Symptoms: As a parent, you should not ignore Not just constipation; some children do experience diarrhea along with mild fever Pain while passing stool Unexplained weight loss Loss of appetite Treatment Options First and most important are changes in diet, because some foods can irritate or inflame their stomach, which can lead to the issue. So, make sure to focus on their diet so that they can eat and live healthy. Never miss the hydration part, because if they are dealing with diarrhea, then they are losing essential vitamins and minerals as well. So, focus on that so that hydration can help them to support healing. Treatment Options Antibiotics are recommended by pediatricians as they help to prevent the infection from spreading into the bloodstream (bacteremia). Probiotics are helpful to balance their gut, as they help to restore the natural balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract. If your child is showing signs of gastrointestinal symptoms, then use anti-inflammatory medication. Contact Us Website - Cradle Children Hospital Phone +91 83770 10161 Conclusion Now you know what is concerning and what is not. Blood in stool can happen because their gut health is not as good as you thought. As parents, getting concerned is common, but getting suggestions from experts at Cradle Children Hospital is the right solution. Their expertise can help you know the reason, and through their guidance, you can protect your child from chronic issues.