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What Causes Dark Greenish Stools In Infants?

Posted on Mon, 22 Dec 2014

Question: Hi my son will be 3 months dec 3, he is on nestle good start formula he is about 14 lbs Heis generally happy , he poops once a day yesterday he pooped three times however he Never has been happy about going to the washroom he grunts a pushes, his poop usually a dark ever green with yellow in it nd smells awful his doctor say he is fine . Sometimes the start of the poop it is dark grey with like a shine to it then his regular poop comes out This is our third child and never went through this My doctor said since he's gaining weight he's fine..he does have an umbilicord hernia that seems to be healing
Is the dark grey stool with shine to it okay? It happens on and off

Answered by Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (46 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Rule out stomach infection

Detailed Answer:
Hi Dear
Welcome to the HCM,
It is true that if the baby is gaining regular adequate weight according to the age then there is nothing significant abnormal.
I have seen images
Little stomach infection is possible which can be ruled out with stool routine examination and culture. Stool culture report will guide us about the exact bug causing the problem and also the exact relevant drug to be used to treat such stomach infection.
Bottle fed babies are prone to get easy stomach infection. So hygiene of the bottle to be strictly followed.
Infantile colics are very common in small babies many drops are available with the local chemist containing dicyclomine help in reliving the stomach cramps.
Hope the query is answered.
Please feel free for the further clarification.
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (57 minutes later)

Hello thank you for yout answer i was told not use the drop by the doctor because it slows down the bowels is yhis true? Also his doctor saud it nothing do i just say i want u to do a test?

Answered by Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Occasionally used

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

These drops relax the intestine. In this way they give some symptomatic relief in gripping and cramping of intestine.
We also do not encourage much of these drops but when the baby is in agony and pain only then we do advise to take occasionally to give some relief.
Often infection do pass off its own with some loose stools and baby is fine.
But to know exactly about the cause of infection, then one should think of stool culture.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (8 minutes later)

His stopls arnt loose they are mor like tooth paste

Answered by Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No harm in doing stool culture.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Greenish, smelly stools suggest some infection.
Why not to rule out early infection.
There is no harm in doing stool culture?

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari

Follow up: Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (3 hours later)

I knoq i agree however my doctor doesnt rhink anything is wrong

Answered by Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
wait and watch. and be relaxed

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Any way you have to depend and believe you own family doctor. Most of the time he has to help you and assist.
There is no harm in going for wait and watch policy.
If the symptoms do increase a little then one can always think of .
Be relaxed. Have faith on your doctor.
All the best
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (6 hours later)

Hello thank you I have taken more photos and made an appointment with the doctor And I guess if she says he's fine then I will have to just go with it I have 2 older children and never seen that before I guess that's why I am worried but thank you again is it possible the formula just giving him a harder time to digest

Answered by Dr. Irshad H Naqvi (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Feeding hygiene is important.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Formula being given is okay.
Usual feeding hygiene to be strictly observed taken.
Bottle sterilization, capping of the bottle, Left over milk in the bottle not to be given later on, hands should be washed with soap or sterilized by sanitize before handling the bottle, many times bottle is fallen in the bed and it is again put in the mouth inadvertently. These are the pity issues to be taken care about the feeding hygiene and are the important reasons for getting stomach infection.
Many times babies do them self put their fingers in their mouth leading to recurrent stomach infection. So their hands should also be repeatedly sanitized.
Hope these points will help you in further preventing the contamination.
It is pleasure for me to explain.
Thanks

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju