Green Stool in Children

Stools are one of the most common indications that something is wrong with the health of an individual. This is especially true in case of children who often suffer from worms, diarrhea, food poisoning and allergies. This is because they tend to put anything and everything they come across like pens, pencils, toys, spoons, pebbles in their mouth. What goes into the mouth will land up in the stomach. Thus, infection causing microbes get a direct entry into the digestive system. From the digestive system they enter the bowels with the waste passed on by the body. Thus, the different stomach contents lead to diagnosis of a stomach ailment based on stool color meanings. Green stool in children is a common observation made by mothers. Green feces in children are not always a cause of worry, but it is better to be sure than sorry later. Let us understand the various causes of green stools.

Causes of Green Stools in Children
There can be many causes of green stool in children. Most of the time, green feces in children are due to something they eat. Other times, bile gets mixed into the stools. Some of the causes of green feces in children are explained in the following paragraphs.

Meconium
Green stools in newborns and infants is very common. Dark green stools are generally passed by newborn babies. These dark green stools are called meconium. These are the first dark green stools that are thick in consistency. They consists of all the matter the fetus consumed in the womb like intestinal epithelial cells, mucus, amniotic fluid, lanugo, bile and water. This meconium is sterile and has no odor. Newborns pass meconium for a few days and then gradually pass yellow-green stools due to digestion of breast milk.

Bile
The liver produces bile juice that is bright green in color. It is stored in the gallbladder from where it passes down to the intestinal tract. When it travels down the intestine, the color changes from bright green to brown. During normal digestion, the process takes enough time for the bile to change color. However, when bile reaches the intestine faster than normal time, it gets mixed up with the stools without change in color. This may cause the bright green stools. This is called 'rapid transit' or 'decrease colonic time'.

Diarrhea
Diarrhea is a type of stool that does not remain in the digestive system for the required time to harden. Children suffering from diarrhea often suffer from bright green stools. The reason being rapid transit. Bile does not have enough time to change color and is passed out as bright green stool in children.

Iron
Light green stools can be result of taking too much of iron in diet. This is one of the most common reasons of light green stools. You may need to cut down on the iron tonics or supplements under the advice of doctors or change the child's diet of high iron.

Medications
Infants and children can suffer from light green stools due to intake of certain, vitamin supplements, Tylenol and over the counter medications. You need to speak to the doctor about light green stools in children and ask for his advice, especially if your child is on antibiotics.

Food Poisoning
A child's digestive system is very sensitive to different foods. The most common cause of food poisoning in children is E.coli. This bacterial infection can lead to dark green or light green stools. If the child suffers from abdominal cramps, fever and green stool is visible for three consecutive days, take your child to a doctor.

Green Foods
Green leafy vegetables, ice creams, Popsicle, green colored sweets and candies can lead to green stools. Too much of green fruits, spinach, broccoli and other green vegetables can also cause light green stools or dark green stools in children.

Food Coloring
The artificial preservatives, food colors, food additives, etc. also cause green colored stools. Kids eating green Jell-O, grape-flavored Pedialyte can also pass bright green stools. You need to have a look into your child's diet and think about a change in your child's diet. Children who have a habit of chewing on to crayons, wax colors, etc. also may pass green stools.

Other Complaints that may Accompany Green Stools
When a child passes green stools, s/he may complain of other symptoms. These symptoms may be a sign of health disorder or disease. These symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain
• Abdominal cramps
• Bloating
• Change in bowel movement (passing hard or loose stools)
• Diarrhea
• Gas, flatulence
• Indigestion
• Presence of mucus in stools
• Burning sensation in rectum
• Unexpected weight loss
• Foul-smelling stools

If the child complains of these symptoms, you should visit a pediatrician for check-up. At times the child may suffer from severe diarrhea, dizziness, bleeding rectum, respiratory problems, not passing enough urine as well as weakness. In such a case, the child needs to be taken to the hospital or doctor immediately.

This was some information related to green stool in children. There can be different cause of green stool and if you are unsure of what could be causing it, speak to a doctor. Hope the above information has helped you learn a bit about the causes of green feces in children.