Why Is The Stool Still Green In Color For A 6-year-old Child Treated For Gastroenteritis?

Posted on Tue, 15 May 2018

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

Tue, 15 May 2018 Answered on

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 Last reviewed on

Question : my 6 year old was treated for gastroenteritis.
she was given enterogermina and saline for rehydration but still continues to poop a greenish color.
we haven't had the stool test results back.
what should be done next?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
An antispasmodic should be given (may need a prescription).

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the query,

The color of stools is given by a pigment called Stercobilinogen. It is formed by the breakdown of bile. Bile is a green color liquid secreted by the liver. During gastroenteritis there is inflammation in intestines and rate of the moment of the intestine is very high hence bile is not properly broken down into stercobilinogen causing green colored stools.

I'd suggest giving him Dicyclomine syrup, an antispasmodic 2.5 ml twice daily. It would slow down the rate of peristalsis of intestines and would help in proper bile breakdown.

Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee