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What Causes Green Stool In An Infant?

Posted on Sat, 2 Aug 2014

Question: Hi my baby is 3months today. I got his stool tests 10days ago. It says 15 20 hpf. He has been having green stools since XXXXXXX 13.lately yellow in the morning then changed to green. Since two days its been runny stools. My doc suggested taximo.
When can I see result?
Is he allergic to milk products that I consumed?
He has gained weight but lagging from the 3 month mark
He is o ly 5.8kgs now as opposes 6.4

Answered by Dr. Arun (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
test stool for reducing substances

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing to health care magic.

Possiblities are
A) viral infection - very common at this age may take a long time to settle down. Spontaneous recovery, no need for any special medicines
B) Lactose intolerance - test for stool reducing substances. If positive your baby may need lactose free milk.
The pus cells can be present in both. Try avoiding milk products yourself.
Continue Taxim-o though it may not be useful, but once started you need to continue till the course is over.

Hope this answers your query. If any further questions, will be happy to help.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Arun (26 minutes later)

What is a viral infection? How can he get it?
Are u asking me test for -stool reducing substance? Didn't quite understand what u are trying to say.

Are u suggesting I don't breastfeed because of lactose?
The stool was tested for micro culture and stool routine.
Is there any other tests I should run.
Pl explain what stool and frequency I should expect.
How did u infer this a vital infection and not a bacterial?

Answered by Dr. Arun (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
what is common is what we suspect

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for writing back.

90 percent of watery stools at this age is viral.
Pus cells alone do not tell it is bacterial.
I suggested you what is commonly seen.
Virus can enter through anything your baby takes in mouth. It can be any object or bottle .
Test the stool for reducing substances .

Lactose intolerance :
Many babies after an episode of gastroenteritis have low lactose digestive enzymes called lactase.
This may take a few weeks to recover. Breast milk is lactose rich. So is reducing substance is present in baby stool , it indicates she is lactose intolerant.
Get back with the test ( this should be enough ),
Frequency to expect will depend on the test result

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T