Rectal Bleeding
Blood in Stool and Rectal Bleeding
Most causes are not serious, but every episode deserves a thoughtful look. We help you understand what is happening and what to do next.
Seeing blood in your child's stool is alarming. The most common causes in kids are benign, like a small anal fissure from a hard stool or mild milk protein sensitivity in infants, but some causes need timely evaluation.
Dr. Mendez listens to the full story, examines your child carefully, and decides whether labs, imaging, or endoscopy are appropriate. The goal is a clear answer without unnecessary testing.
Signs and symptoms
- Bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper
- Streaks of blood mixed in stool
- Dark, tarry, or maroon stools
- Blood with mucus
- Pain during or after bowel movements
- Pale skin, fatigue, or low energy
- Belly pain or weight loss with bleeding
- Recurrent episodes over weeks or months
How we treat it
- Detailed history covering diet, stool pattern, pain, family history, and growth.
- Focused exam to look for fissures, hemorrhoids, or signs of systemic illness.
- Targeted labs when needed: CBC, inflammatory markers, stool studies, celiac screen.
- Endoscopy or colonoscopy when the picture suggests IBD, polyps, or unexplained bleeding.
- Clear written plan and timeline for follow-up so nothing falls through the cracks.
When to call a pediatric GI
- Any episode of significant or recurrent rectal bleeding.
- Dark or tarry stools, which can suggest upper GI bleeding.
- Bleeding with belly pain, weight loss, or fatigue.
- Bleeding in an infant or toddler who is not gaining weight well.
- Bleeding that has been brushed off but keeps returning.
Frequently asked
Is a small streak of red blood on the toilet paper an emergency?
Usually no. The most common cause is a small anal fissure from a hard stool. It still deserves evaluation if it keeps happening, but it is rarely an emergency on its own.
Does my child need a colonoscopy?
Not always. Many cases are evaluated and resolved with a careful history, exam, and basic testing. Endoscopy is reserved for cases where the picture suggests an inflammatory or structural cause.
Can milk allergy cause blood in stool in babies?
Yes. In infants, cow's milk protein allergy is a common cause of streaks of blood and mucus in stool. We help confirm the diagnosis and guide a safe elimination trial.
Ready to talk it through?
Concierge access means we have the time to listen, evaluate carefully, and stay with your family through every step.