Many children often suffer from minor cases of blood in the stool and hence, do not experience severe conditions. However, rectal bleeding cannot be detected without medical examination. If you suspect that your child’s stool contains blood–due to the unusual dark or black colour, it is imperative that you consult your child’s doctor for an examination to be conducted.
Seek immediate medical assistance if:
- Bleeding is severe
- Child seems to be sick, faint or weak
Treatment
1. Call a doctor if your child’s stool contains blood
2. Examine some of the signs yourself so that you can report them to the doctor
- Check if the blood is dark, black or bright red
- Check if your child has taken any new medication, antibiotics or food. It is important to note that certain foods such as beets, tomatoes and artificial flavourings can also cause the stool to turn red
3. Check for symptoms
- Symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, pain or fever
4. Call your health care provider or paediatrician
Even if the condition seems mild such as little blood in the stool, or if your child seems sick, unhealthy or weak, call your child’s paediatrician.
Seek immediate medical attention if:
- The baby is younger than 12 months
- Is defecating tarry or black stools
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Jelly like stool or mucus mixed with the blood in the stool
- The child seems distressed
- The child seems sick or lethargic
Learn More
For more information about providing care and first aid to children enrol in workplace approved first aid programs such as childcare first aid (click here for more information).
Related Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KEJdWYqU1g