Constipation, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child have rectal bleeding?
See significance of constipation and rectal bleeding if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your baby younger than 6 months of age have more than a streak of blood on the stool or on the diaper?
Yes Has your child age 6 months or older passed a large amount of blood in the stool (enough to leave a red stain on his or her diaper or to turn the water in the toilet bowl red)?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Has your child age 6 months or older passed two or more stools containing a moderate amount of blood (enough to leave a pinkish stain on his or her diaper or to turn the water in the toilet bowl pink)?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Has your child age 6 months or older passed a small amount of blood on the stool more than one time in the last 24 hrs?
Your child needs an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Has your baby younger than 6 months passed a stool with a streak of blood on it or on a diaper more than one time, and a health professional has not evaluated this problem?
Yes Has your child age 6 months or older had a very small amount of rectal bleeding (streak of blood) for longer than one week or more than once a day?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: December 14, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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