Mucus in Toddler's Stool

Of all the things that parents encounter while caring for their babies, mucus in stool of toddlers has got to be one of the worst. The disgust and fright that it must cause in parents is not without reason, and definitely not uncalled-for. What are the factors that lead to mucus in toddler's stool? Is it a common occurrence? How is one to treat the condition of mucus in stool? Questions, questions. But there shall be answers in the paragraphs that are to follow. In this article, we shall try and understand why the possibility of toddler poop with mucus comes about and how is one supposed to deal with it.

Causes

Mucus stool in children could be caused by several underlying factors - some could either be due to certain underlying health conditions or due to other external factors that lead to the mucus. Let us study the causes of mucus in stool of toddlers further and understand the varied reasons that lead to it.

Normal Condition
Mucus usually lines the intestines and the colon so that there is proper lubrication of these organs. This is required for the smooth functioning of the digestive system. At the toddler stage, the baby is going through a change in his/her diet. The inclusion of solid food in the diet for the first time can put some pressure on the digestive system and it can take time to acclimatize to its new role. In such a case, mild diarrhea along with small quantities of mucus in the stool can be seen. This is a normal occurrence when it is irregular. However, when there is mucus in stool every time the toddler does its business, that is the time the parents should start worrying.

Problems with Digestion
When there is frequent mucus in stools of the toddler, accompanied by diarrhea or constipation, it could mean that there is a problem with the digestive lining and the digestive system on the whole. This could happen due to a number of reasons like an allergy to the kind of food that is being consumed by the baby (even breastfed babies) or the inability to process the food. This causes an inflammation of the organs which can lead to discomfort. In order to deal with this, the body will produce excess mucus so that the lining can be greased. Thus, there is excess mucus in the toddler's stool.

Bacterial Growth
Even though there is some amount of bacterial presence in the intestines and the digestive system, at times the production of these can pummel and cause an imbalance. The body reacts by producing more mucus to help deal with the harmful effects of the bacterial overgrowth.

Infections
Teething is one of the main reasons that can lead to an infection in the baby's digestive tract and cause for green mucus to appear in the toddler's stool. If the teething toys or any other surfaces that the baby comes in contact with are not sanitized, then there could be a possibility of the infection spreading. This is one of the main reasons that leads to blood and mucus in stool. When there is bloody mucus in the stool, and it occurs frequently, it could be an indication of mild disorders like constipation, allergies or infection or certain serious conditions like abrasion of the rectum. Getting it checked by a doctor is imperative.

Other Diseases
There are several other diseases that could lead to mucus in feces of toddlers, especially, changes in color, texture and consistency. Here are some of the diseases and conditions that can cause this to happen.

• Crohn's Disease
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Diverticulitis
• Celiac disease
• Intussusception
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The varied causes of mucus in stool will have helped you understand that the reasons for why this happens could range over several factors, therefore, consulting a pediatrician becomes imperative. Your doctor will determine the cause and the treatment that is to be administered.