What Causes Large-caliber Stools In A Teenager?

Posted on Tue, 17 May 2016

Question: My 15 year old grandson has bowel movements about every 2-3 days. However, the size, not length, concerns me. It is very large. He has never complained to his parents or me about it being painful when he poops, but he does have a tendency not to talk things that embarrass him. And occasionally he has not flushed after going and it has alarmed me about the size. The color seems 'normal'. Should there be any concern for this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Large caliber of stool

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

Quantity and caliber of stool can vary from person to person. I would have been more concerned if the caliber of the stool was small , which might have warranted further testing. If the stool are soft, there is no pain on defecation then there is nothing to worry about. To be on the safe side , stool for ova and parasite can be done if he complains of any perineal symptoms such as burning or pain and itching pre or post defecation.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Let me know if you have any query

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

For future follow up / correspondence you may ask me directly at the link given below

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=68107

Dr. M.S. Khalil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (29 minutes later)

Thank you. I know his dad will be happy to hear this. I do have one more question related to this; my grandson is about 5'8" or 5'9" and he weighs about 130. Is this about right? I know sometimes it seems like he has a hollow leg to store all the food he eats, but a lot of times he hardly eats anything. Should we be concerned about this?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Normal pattern

Detailed Answer:
Hello again

The bmi calculated is 19.8 which is normal for a 15 year old. He has time to grow. No need to worry too much about it in my view.

wishing you best of health

Thanks

Dr M.S Khalil

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar