4 Year Old With Blood In Stool And Bleeding From Anus. No Constipation. Treatment?

Posted on Sat, 10 Dec 2011

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 Answered on

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I have a 4 year old son that has had blood in his poo and it was also dripping from his anus tonight. He wasn't constipated.

Answered by Dr. Hema Yadav (34 minutes later)

Hello,

Thanks for posting your query.

Gross blood in stools and dripping from anus is of significant concern. It can occur due to gastrointestinal infection, parasitic infestation or obstruction like intussuseption. If he is not constipated then a fissure in ano or prolapse rectum seems unlikely.

The child needs to consult his pediatrician for a thorough examination to confirm the cause. Some tests like an ultrasound abdomen and stool routine test are entailed. Your child may need a course of antibiotics.

In the meantime, the child should be given plenty of water to prevent dehydration.

If the child has no pain, no vomiting or fever and is feeding well, then it is not an emergency and you can take appointment with his doctor. The child would need to seek prompt consultation as soon as possible if any of the aforementioned symptoms develop.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad