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Is Stool Of An Infant That Is Almost Black In Color A Serious Reason For Concern?

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Posted on Thu, 22 Feb 2024
Question: My 9+ months old baby boy 's stool is blackish in color and harder since few days. My baby is not willing to drink plain water. he is taking milk,juice, coconut water as usual. He doesn't have any other symptoms and play full n active as usual. Could you please let me know the reasons for blackish harder stool.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Colour of stool can show changes with changes in diet

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have gone very carefully through your query. The stool colour can vary depending on the dietary contents. I need to ask if the child is getting iron supplements or dark coloured foods. If the stool is hard you need to increase the water intake as well as the intake of dietary fibres.

Fiber rich food items include:
* Apples, pears, parsnip, berries, raspberries, kumquats, guavas, squash, oranges, passion fuit, avocado, blackberries, pomogranate, currants, persimmons, kiwi fruits, figs, bananas, blueberries, cherries, apricots, strawberries, tangerines, papaya, mangoes, pineapple, plums, litchi, grapes, watermelon
* Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprout, carrots, leafy vegetables and spinach, amaranth, artichokes, green peas, collard greens, XXXXXXX sweet potato, okra, fennel, eggplant/brinjal, sweetcorn, beets, turnip, asparagus, onions
* Legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas, celery, soybean, navy beans, cranberry beans, french beans
* Whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, millets and oats, squash and pumpkin seeds, seasame seeds, dried coconut, almonds,
* Mushrooms

Feel free to write back.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (11 hours later)
There is no change is diet in recent past .

He is taking solid foods like rice-daal , suji/biscuit and cerelac (stage 2) along will milk, fruit juice and coconut water.

Fruit juice and coconut water was occasional.

Also he is not taking any iron supplements Only Medicine taking daily is Vit D3 oral drop.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Further details needed

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the update. Also confirm if the stool is black tarry and sticky. Unless that is the case you need not worry. If that is the case, you need to get the stool tested for routine microscopy and occult blood test. Upload the reports thereafter and I would guide you accordingly.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Is Stool Of An Infant That Is Almost Black In Color A Serious Reason For Concern?

Brief Answer: Colour of stool can show changes with changes in diet Detailed Answer: Hi, I have gone very carefully through your query. The stool colour can vary depending on the dietary contents. I need to ask if the child is getting iron supplements or dark coloured foods. If the stool is hard you need to increase the water intake as well as the intake of dietary fibres. Fiber rich food items include: * Apples, pears, parsnip, berries, raspberries, kumquats, guavas, squash, oranges, passion fuit, avocado, blackberries, pomogranate, currants, persimmons, kiwi fruits, figs, bananas, blueberries, cherries, apricots, strawberries, tangerines, papaya, mangoes, pineapple, plums, litchi, grapes, watermelon * Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprout, carrots, leafy vegetables and spinach, amaranth, artichokes, green peas, collard greens, XXXXXXX sweet potato, okra, fennel, eggplant/brinjal, sweetcorn, beets, turnip, asparagus, onions * Legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas, celery, soybean, navy beans, cranberry beans, french beans * Whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, millets and oats, squash and pumpkin seeds, seasame seeds, dried coconut, almonds, * Mushrooms Feel free to write back. Regards