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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Ammonia Odor In The Stool Discharged By A Baby?

Hello! My 4 month old has been having some bowl issues. She used to have a bowel movement almost every time she ate (exclusively breastfeed). In the past month, she will go 3-4 days without going. She will cry as if in pain. Occasionally I have stimulated her it given a superiority. Once she does start going again, she will go 4-5 times a day for a day or two, then start the process over again. I have not changed my diet. In the past 2 weeks her poop has started to have a strong ammonia smell. Her urine seems completely normal. Is this something I should be worried about?
Wed, 28 Dec 2016
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General Surgeon 's  Response
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Noted the history about your 4 month old daughter having recurrent constipation that is relieved by suppository followed by diarrhea and continues for a day or so and then again turns again to stopping stool. You have not changed any diet, the baby is solely breast fed.
The occurrence of such stool habit indicates that there may be a a problem like colitis secondary to an intestinal infection.
Hence I would advise you the following:
Send the sample of stool for lab on three consecutive day.
Get her the proper antibiotic course, curtail the chances infection by cleaning your nipples with saturated spirit and allow it to evaporate completely
The strong ammonia smell can be due to the overgrowth of bacteria that produce ammonia and hence the smell.
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What Causes Ammonia Odor In The Stool Discharged By A Baby?

Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history about your 4 month old daughter having recurrent constipation that is relieved by suppository followed by diarrhea and continues for a day or so and then again turns again to stopping stool. You have not changed any diet, the baby is solely breast fed. The occurrence of such stool habit indicates that there may be a a problem like colitis secondary to an intestinal infection. Hence I would advise you the following: Send the sample of stool for lab on three consecutive day. Get her the proper antibiotic course, curtail the chances infection by cleaning your nipples with saturated spirit and allow it to evaporate completely The strong ammonia smell can be due to the overgrowth of bacteria that produce ammonia and hence the smell.