#LOWER GI BLEED BRIGHT RED BLOOD SKIN#

If a polyp is located, it can be removed during endoscopy with special instruments.īacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics parasites can be treated with various medications and viral infections usually resolve on their own. Local tears and hemorrhoids are managed by changing the diet, stool softeners, and topical creams. If the bleeding is severe, your doctor may recommend a blood transfusion. Treatment of lower GI bleeding depends on the cause and location of the bleeding in your child. This is useful to look for bleeding in the small intestine, where an endoscope cannot reach. For this test, the child may have to swallow a small pill-sized camera that moves through the GI tract and takes several pictures. Small bowel video capsule endoscopy (VCE) is also useful to find sources of bleeding. A technetium scan can be used to look for Meckel’s diverticulum, in which a radioactive substance is injected into the body.ĭepending on your child’s clinical history and symptoms, your doctor may recommend a lower endoscopy (colonoscopy). Other imaging studies can be useful to diagnose a lower GI bleed, depending on what your doctor suspects may be the cause. Additional tests also can look for inflammation or microscopic (hidden) blood in the stool. Stool can be checked for the presence of bacteria, parasites, or viruses.

A digital rectal examination also may be performed, in which the doctor will insert one finger into the rectum to assess muscle tone as well as the presence of any masses, such as hard stool, a polyp, or a dilated vessel.īoth blood tests and stool studies can be helpful to determine the reason for GI bleeding.

#LOWER GI BLEED BRIGHT RED BLOOD SKIN#

Your doctor may perform an external examination, where the outside appearance of the anus is inspected for any tears or skin tags. Vascular malformations, which are abnormal clusters of blood vessels that usually occur prior to birthĪ careful history and physical examination will be the first step for your doctor to determine what may be causing lower GI bleeding in your child.Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a common and serious intestinal disease among premature babies that could be life-threatening if not treated immediately.Intussusception, which is a serious condition in which part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part of intestine-this “telescoping” of the bowel can block passage of food through the intestine and can also cut-off blood supply to part of the intestine.Allergic conditions, such as milk protein allergy in younger children or eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorder (EGID) in older children.

Meckel’s diverticulum, which is an abnormal pouch in the lower part of the small intestine that is present at birth.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

Viral, parasite, or bacterial infection.

Growths on the lining of the intestine, called polyps.

Irritation by cuts or hemorrhoids, often caused by constipation.

Lower GI bleeding is a symptom of an underlying problem in the lower GI tract, which can vary by the age of your child. Other important symptoms to discuss with your doctor are the frequency of stools, presence of abdominal pain, accidents when stooling, night-time awakenings to stool, fever, or weight loss. The consistency of your child’s stool, including constipation or diarrhea, can be an important indicator of the cause of lower GI bleeding. Your doctor may do some special testing on your child’s stool to detect the hidden blood. If the bleeding is hidden, your child may have symptoms such as belly pain, light headedness, fainting, chest discomfort, nausea, and/or difficulty breathing.

If the bleeding starts further up in the lower GI tract, your child may have black sticky stool called “melena”, which can sometimes look like tar and smell foul.It can be mixed in with the stool or form a coating outside the stool. Bleeding can be streaks of blood or larger clots. If the bleeding is obvious, your child may have: Signs and symptoms of lower GI bleeding depend on the location and quantity of bleeding.

Lower gi bleed bright red blood