What is the reason why babies have pus and mucus in their stool?

As a parent, you must pay attention to some conditions of your baby's body. Take the baby's stool for example. If you find that the stool is not formed or the color is abnormal, you should consider whether the baby is sick. Take the example of babies passing pus and mucus. Many parents think it is just ordinary diarrhea, which results in missing the best time for treatment. So, what is the reason why babies have pus and mucus?

Causes of blood in the stool in babies

1. Blood and mucus in stool

Dysentery: includes bacillary dysentery and amoebic dysentery. Children often have fever, abdominal pain, increased frequency of bowel movements, "tenesmus" (meaning they want to defecate again after defecating a little each time, a feeling of anus falling and incomplete defecation), and stool mixed with fresh blood and mucus.

Toxic bacillary dysentery is the most dangerous type of bacillary dysentery. It is more common in infants aged 2-7 years and occurs frequently in summer and autumn. This type of dysentery may cause symptoms of toxic shock before bloody stools begin.

Acute necrotizing enteritis: also known as acute hemorrhagic enteritis, with symptoms of fever, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting, irritability, and infection and poisoning. In severe cases, shock may occur. The child has increased frequency of bowel movements and the stools contain mucus and blood, or have a strong fishy odor like red bean soup or meat washing water. Routine blood examination shows a significant increase in the white blood cell count, and comprehensive treatment combining traditional Chinese and Western medicine is often adopted.

Intussusception: It is more common in infants under 2 years old, especially in infants aged 4-10 months.

2. The stool is tar-colored

Gastrointestinal ulcer: The baby's stool is tar-colored, also known as black stool. The bleeding site may be in the stomach and upper small intestine, which is mainly seen in gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer. The fecal occult blood test may be positive.

However, ulcers in infants are different from those in adults. They may have symptoms such as upper abdominal discomfort before having bloody stools. They may also have no history of stomach pain or acid reflux, but suddenly discharge tarry black stools. The diagnosis can be confirmed by X-ray examinations. Bloody stools caused by peptic ulcers can usually be controlled with medication.

3. Fresh blood drips out after defecation

Rectal polyps: This is the most common cause of blood in the stool in infants, and is more common in infants aged 3-6 years. Infants often have fresh blood at the end of a bowel movement, which is small, painless, and not mixed with the stool.

Polyps mostly grow on the intestinal mucosa, like a lump of flesh with a pedicle, usually the size of a broad bean or soybean. An experienced doctor can often feel polyps during a digital rectal examination. If the polyp becomes infected, mucus, pus and blood in the stool may occur. Polyps can be treated by sigmoidoscopic removal or electrocautery.

Anal fissure and constipation: Anal fissure and constipation often go together. Anal fissure is a tear at the edge of the anus. The baby's stool will be dry and hard, with a small amount of blood, and will be accompanied by pain during defecation. Children with anal fissures should pay attention to keeping the anal area clean and eat more easily digestible foods that can lubricate stools.