Parents often worry about blood in their infant’s stool, particularly during teething. While alarming, blood in an infant’s stool is not a typical teething symptom. This article explores common causes.
Teething Symptoms and Misconceptions
Teething is when a baby’s teeth emerge through the gums. It typically starts around 4 to 7 months. Common signs include increased drooling, irritated gums, fussiness, and chewing on objects. Babies might also have a slight temperature increase, generally below 100.4°F (38°C).
Teething does not cause diarrhea or fever above 100.4°F. While some parents might notice loose or slimy stools from excessive salivation, blood in the stool is not a teething symptom. Blood in an infant’s stool indicates an underlying issue.
Common Reasons for Blood in Infant Stool
Many causes of blood in an infant’s stool are not severe. A frequent reason is an anal fissure, a small tear around the anus. These tears result from hard or large stools, or straining. Blood from an anal fissure usually appears as bright red streaks on the outside of the stool.
Swallowed maternal blood is common, particularly in breastfed infants. This occurs if the baby ingests blood from cracked nipples or the birthing process. It is not harmful and resolves once the source is addressed. This blood may appear as dark flecks, maroon streaks, or resemble coffee grounds.
Food allergies or sensitivities are frequent culprits, with cow’s milk and soy protein common allergens. These allergies can inflame the gut, causing small streaks or flecks of blood and mucus in the stool, a condition known as allergic colitis. Symptoms often appear in the first few months and can include fussiness, gas, or vomiting, in addition to bloody stools.
Less common causes include bacterial or viral infections irritating the digestive tract. Rarely, dark red or black, tarry stools might indicate bleeding higher in the gastrointestinal tract. Certain medications or foods like beets or red food coloring can change the stool’s appearance, making it seem bloody when it is not.
When to Consult a Healthcare Professional
Any visible blood in an infant’s stool warrants professional consultation. While often benign, a medical evaluation determines the cause and rules out serious conditions. Parents should contact their pediatrician even if the baby appears well and the blood amount is small.
Immediate medical attention is necessary if blood in the stool accompanies other concerning symptoms. These include a large amount of blood, dark or tarry stools, fever, vomiting, lethargy, fussiness, poor feeding, or dehydration signs. A “currant jelly” appearance to the stool (a mix of blood and mucus) can indicate intussusception, a serious condition requiring urgent care.