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What Causes Dark Stool In A Toddler?

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Posted on Sat, 5 Dec 2015
Question: what causes dark stool in a toddler who is basically healthy, active, good eater, etc.
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Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stool can be various shades of brown and darkness.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

If your son is acting well, most likely the dark color is due to something he has eaten including vitamins. Iron rich food can cause the stool to be darker and also artificial food coloring can do this too, as can some stomach medicines with bismuth.

The main concern with dark stool is if it appears black and tarry. That can be caused by bleeding high in the gastrointestinal tract. The acid in the stomach then alters the blood to give it the characteristic appearance of black tar.

If he is having no stomach pain, and is feeling well, and the stool does not have any black tar appearance, then it is not a concerning problem. Stool color can naturally vary and not be a sign of abnormality.

I hope this information helps.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3133 Questions

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What Causes Dark Stool In A Toddler?

Brief Answer: Stool can be various shades of brown and darkness. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, If your son is acting well, most likely the dark color is due to something he has eaten including vitamins. Iron rich food can cause the stool to be darker and also artificial food coloring can do this too, as can some stomach medicines with bismuth. The main concern with dark stool is if it appears black and tarry. That can be caused by bleeding high in the gastrointestinal tract. The acid in the stomach then alters the blood to give it the characteristic appearance of black tar. If he is having no stomach pain, and is feeling well, and the stool does not have any black tar appearance, then it is not a concerning problem. Stool color can naturally vary and not be a sign of abnormality. I hope this information helps.