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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes White Stool In A Child?

My child is 23 months old and has had what looks like white stool. She s had it about three times in her 23 months of life. Today I decided to look it up and it scared the heck out of me. Should I take my child to the Emergency room? Today was the third time she has had white poop in all her 23 months of life. Should I be very concerned?
posted on Sat, 5 Sep 2015
Twitter Wed, 30 Sep 2015 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 30 Sep 2015 Last reviewed on
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Pathologist and Microbiologist,  's  Response
Hello and welcome to HCM,
White or pale colored stools in a 23 month old child is suggestive of some kind of obstruction in the biliary tract.
The characteristic color of stool is due to presence of pigment in stool called stercobilin.
Absence of this pigment can lead to light colored or pale colored stools.
Thus, the biliary tract needs to be examined to look for any kind of obstruction.
An ultrasound of abdomen and liver function tests are required to assess the biliary tract.
Obstruction can be due to pressure from outside or some kind of obstruction from inside.
Management can be planned after clinical assessment and thus management.

Thanks and take care
Dr Shailja Puri
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What Causes White Stool In A Child?

Hello and welcome to HCM, White or pale colored stools in a 23 month old child is suggestive of some kind of obstruction in the biliary tract. The characteristic color of stool is due to presence of pigment in stool called stercobilin. Absence of this pigment can lead to light colored or pale colored stools. Thus, the biliary tract needs to be examined to look for any kind of obstruction. An ultrasound of abdomen and liver function tests are required to assess the biliary tract. Obstruction can be due to pressure from outside or some kind of obstruction from inside. Management can be planned after clinical assessment and thus management. Thanks and take care Dr Shailja Puri