When Your Child Has Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding

Blood in your child’s vomit or poop can be a sign of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. GI bleeding can be scary for you and your child. Many times, the cause of the bleeding isn't serious. But your child should always be seen by a doctor if they have GI bleeding.

The GI tract

The GI tract is the path that food travels through the body. Food passes from the mouth down the esophagus. This is the tube that goes from the mouth to the stomach. Food begins to break down in the stomach. It then moves through the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). The body absorbs nutrients from food as it travels through the small intestine. What's left passes into the large intestine (colon) as waste. The colon removes water from the waste. Waste continues from the colon to the rectum. It is stored there until it leaves the body through the anus.

Outline of child showing digestive tract.

What causes GI bleeding?

There are many problems that can cause s GI bleeding. These vary depending on your child's age and where you live. Some of the more common ones include:

  • Nosebleeds.

  • Cuts or scrapes in the mouth or throat.

  • Infection from bacteria, viruses, parasites.

  • Food allergies.

  • Medicines.

  • A sore (ulcer) on the lining of the GI tract.

  • Severe vomiting. This can cause a tear in the GI tract (Mallory-Weiss tear).

  • Swelling or irritation of the GI tract lining.

  • Tissue growths (polyps).

  • Abnormal pouches in part of the GI tract (Meckel's diverticulum).

  • Small tears (fissures) in the anus. These are common in children with constipation.

  • Swollen blood vessels in the rectum (hemorrhoids).

  • Abnormal or enlarged blood vessels in the GI tract.

  • Intussusception, a condition in which one part of the bowel slides inside another part.

  • Blood clotting problems.

Blood in poop: How is the problem diagnosed?

If blood is coming out with your child’s poop, it may be a sign of a problem in the lower GI tract. Bleeding from the lower GI tract can be bright red. Or it may look dark and tarry. The doctor will start by examining your child and asking questions. Your child may also need some tests, such as:

  • Blood tests. These tests can help determine how much bleeding there is and whether your child has anemia.

  • Fecal occult blood test. This test checks your child’s poop for hidden blood.

  • Stool cultures. These tests check your child’s poop for bacteria or parasites.

  • X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan. These tests take pictures of the digestive tract.

  • Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. During this test, a flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the anus into the rectum to view the inside of your child’s colon. This also lets the doctor take a small tissue sample (biopsy) if needed.

  • Capsule study. For this test, your child swallows a pill-sized wireless camera that sends pictures of the small intestine to a computer screen. The capsule is passed in the poop and flushed.

  • Lower GI series. This is a special type of X-ray test to look at the lower GI tract. Your child will drink a liquid called barium. The barium makes the GI tract show up more clearly in X-ray pictures.

Blood in vomit: How is the problem diagnosed?

If your child is vomiting blood, it may be a sign of a problem in the upper GI tract. Your child may need certain tests, such as:

  • Endoscopy. During this test, a flexible tube with a camera is inserted through the mouth and throat to see inside the upper GI tract. This also lets the doctor take a small tissue sample (biopsy), if needed.

  • X-ray, ultrasound, or CT scan. These tests take pictures of the digestive tract.

  • Upper GI series. This is a special type of X-ray test to look at the upper GI tract. Your child will drink a liquid called barium. The barium makes the GI tract show up more clearly in X-ray pictures.

When to contact the doctor

GI bleeding can sometimes be a sign of a serious problem. Contact the doctor right away if your child:

  • Has bleeding from the mouth or anus that can’t be stopped right away.

  • Has a fever over 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by the doctor.

  • Acts very sleepy (lethargic) or is hard to wake up.

  • Can't be calmed or soothed.

  • Is bleeding and becomes lightheaded or dizzy.

  • Has lost too many fluids and is dehydrated. Symptoms include dry mouth, extreme thirst, no tears when crying, fewer than six wet diapers in a day, or no peeing in 6 hours. The child may also be fussy or upset.

  • Is complaining of belly pain.