Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Green Stool In A Child?
Posted on
Tue, 21 Apr 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 21 Apr 2015
Answered on
Tue, 12 May 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My daughter has green stool, Does this indicate an infection
Brief Answer:
not necessarily
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Does not necessarily mean infection.
Bile is made in the liver and makes it way to the intestines. As it mixes with the other contents of the intestines, bile undergoes changes and its color changes from green to brown.
This color change causes the stool to change color as well.
If stool is passed out quickly or frequently then bile does not have the chance to undergo these changes and the stool is green.
This can occur with diarrhea due to infection or diarrhea due to other causes.
Green stool can also occur due to: (1)use of a lot of green leafy vegetables
(2)iron supplements can also sometimes have this effect
(3)use of foods/drinks with green XXXXXXX
At this point, if there are no other additional symptoms , you can monitor.
If she has diarrhea, then fluids are important to prevent or treat dehydration.
If she has been using iron supplements or a diet high in green vegs, then likely related.
If she has additional long term symptoms (have been present for a while) such as decreased appetite, prolonged frequent bowel movements (happening for weeks), weight loss etc , then she should be assessed by her doctor.
I hope this helps ,feel free to ask any other questions
not necessarily
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Does not necessarily mean infection.
Bile is made in the liver and makes it way to the intestines. As it mixes with the other contents of the intestines, bile undergoes changes and its color changes from green to brown.
This color change causes the stool to change color as well.
If stool is passed out quickly or frequently then bile does not have the chance to undergo these changes and the stool is green.
This can occur with diarrhea due to infection or diarrhea due to other causes.
Green stool can also occur due to: (1)use of a lot of green leafy vegetables
(2)iron supplements can also sometimes have this effect
(3)use of foods/drinks with green XXXXXXX
At this point, if there are no other additional symptoms , you can monitor.
If she has diarrhea, then fluids are important to prevent or treat dehydration.
If she has been using iron supplements or a diet high in green vegs, then likely related.
If she has additional long term symptoms (have been present for a while) such as decreased appetite, prolonged frequent bowel movements (happening for weeks), weight loss etc , then she should be assessed by her doctor.
I hope this helps ,feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
