| Abnormal-looking stool | 4.00000000000000 | Abnormal-looking stool | Abnormal-looking stool | A | English | Gastrointestinal | Child (0-12 years);Teen (13-18 years) | Large Intestine/Colon | Large intestine;Rectum | Conditions and diseases | Adult (19+) | NA | | 2010-10-14T04:00:00Z | | Mark Feldman, MD, FRCPC | | | | 6.70000000000000 | 65.9000000000000 | 555.000000000000 | | Health (A-Z) - Conditions | Health A-Z | <p>An easy-to-understand overview of the signs, symptoms, and medical options for children with unusual feces.</p> | <h2>What causes abnormal-looking stool?</h2><p>Most changes in a child's stool (feces) are due to a change in diet. Changes in diet may cause changes in:</p><ul><li>colour</li><li>smell</li><li>consistency</li><li>amount of stool</li></ul><p>Many medicines can affect what stool looks like. If your baby or child is taking medication, ask your pharmacist if you should expect a change in stool. Some changes that last more than a few days may require medical attention.</p>
<br> | <h2>Types of abnormal-looking stool</h2>
<h3>Brightly-coloured stool</h3>
<p>Breast-fed babies usually produce a mustard-yellow coloured stool. They may also produce green, runny stool. This is normal. It should not be a concern. </p>
<p>In older babies and children, green, runny stool is usually a sign of <a href="/Article?contentid=907&language=English">gastroenteritis</a>. This is also called "stomach flu". Your child may need to see a doctor.</p>
<h3>Pale stool</h3>
<p>Whitish, light-coloured stool may be a sign of a bile duct blockage. </p>
<p>Floating and foul-smelling stools can be a sign of malabsorption. Malabsorption is when the digestive system does not absorb nutrients adequately. It may occur if your child has intolerance to, a digestive problem with, or an allergy to a certain food. </p>
<p>If your child has pale stool with yellowish skin and eyes, or dark urine, they may have <a href="/Article?contentid=819&language=English">hepatitis</a>. See a doctor right away.</p>
<h3>Bloody stool</h3>
<p>Small amounts of fresh blood are common in children who are constipated and straining when passing stool. </p>
<p>Bloody, slimy or mucusy stool may be a sign of infection. It may also mean inflammation of the large intestine or rectum. </p>
<p>If your baby or child's stool has a red, jelly-like appearance, see a doctor right away. Make sure to tell your doctor if your child also has severe stomach pain and a pale complexion. This type of stool may be caused by intestinal obstruction. </p>
<p>Children with bloody stool may be suffering from <a href="/Article?contentid=821&language=English">inflammatory bowel disease</a>. </p>
| <h2>Key points</h2>
<ul>
<li>Most changes in stool are due to a change in diet.</li>
<li>Runny green or mustard-coloured stool is common in breast-fed babies.</li>
<li>Pale stool accompanied by yellowish skin and eyes, or dark urine may indicate hepatitis. Seek medical attention right away.</li>
<li>Red and jelly-like stool is considered an emergency. Call 911 or go to the nearest Emergency Department. Do not give your child anything to eat or drink while waiting for the ambulance.</li>
<li>Small amounts of blood lining the stool are common in children who are constipated. This is not an emergency.</li>
</ul>
| | | | | | | | | | <h2>When to see a doctor</h2>
<p><strong>Make an appointment with your child's doctor if:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>your child seems sick and the stool does not return to its normal colour in a few days</li>
<li>your child has blood in the stool and constipation is not the reason</li>
<li>your child's stool continues to be very pale</li>
<li>your baby has green, runny stool and seems sick with other symptoms</li>
<li>your baby has green, runny stool but is bottle-fed only</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>See a doctor right away, or go to the nearest Emergency Department, if:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>your baby or child has red and jelly-like stool. Do not give your child anything to eat or drink while waiting for the ambulance</li>
<li>your child has yellowish skin or yellowish whites of the eyes</li>
<li>your child has dark urine (brown or black in colour)</li>
<li>your child's stool is an abnormal colour after taking medication</li>
</ul>
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