Rectal Bleeding in Children

Causes of bleeding in children

According to experts, there are many causes of blood in children, which can be divided into the following situations:

Anal fissure

Anal fissures is a tear of the epithelial mucosa of anal canal characterized by painful rectal bleeding accompanied crying and restlessness, and hard stool. Causes of anal fissures include congenital anal stenosis, tearing the anus when draining hard stools, and anal injury or infection.

2.Rectal polyps

Rectal polyps are small growths on the inner lining of the rectum. It is common in children 3 to 6 years old. The blood in the stool caused by rectal polyps is characterized by a small amount of blood at the end of defecation in children, and it is not mixed with feces.

3. Acute necrotizing enteritis.

It affects mostly the intestine of the premature infants. It typically develops within first two weeks. The baby is usually unable to tolerate the feedings, abdominal distention, vomiting and bloody stools and fever because of the infection of the bowel wall.

How to prevent rectal bleeding in children

Most children have bloody stools that are caused by anal fissures. And constipation in children will cause anal fissure and blood in the stool. Therefore, to prevent blood in the stool, it is to prevent constipation.

1. Cultivate good habits for children to defecate on time. When defecating in children, choose the time when the parents and the children are not nervous, let the children defecate naturally, and be patient on time every day.

2. Let the children have the appropriate amount of activity. For small babies, parents can let them roll and crawl on the bed to increase their activity and prevent constipation. For older children, walking after meals to increase their activity to prevent constipation.

3. Feed scientifically. Children’s diet plays an important role in their growth needs and overall health . In addition to enough protein and carbohydrates, children should eat more foods rich in dietary fiber such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits, which has a greater effect on preventing constipation.

Causes of Rectal Bleeding

Blood in the stool may be a manifestation of systemic diseases, or it may be a manifestation of gastrointestinal diseases, which is more common.

1. Bright red blood on the surface of the stool may be caused by anal fissures and rectal polyps.

2. Blood mixed with stool and mucus may be caused by colitis and intussusception.

3. If the stool color is brownish black, which means bleeding in the upper part of the stomach and small intestine. It is found in gastric or duodenal ulcers, allergic purpura, or Meckel diverticulum.

4. If the children take iron or bismuth drugs, the stool can also be black or green-black, which looks like blood in the stool.

It is worth noting that when it is impossible to determine what causes the blood in the stool, it is recommended that parents should take the child to the hospital to get treatment on time.