What Causes Diarrhea Containing Mucus And Blood In Infant?

Posted on Fri, 7 Aug 2015

Question: My 7 month old son has been having diarrhea for 10 days. Most of the time it contains mucus and streaks of blood. These are the results from blood work that he had today. His blood work seems to indicate a viral infection, but he tested positive for fecal leukocytes which the doctor's said may be a bacterial infection. How would you interpret these lab results? I also have his CBC that they took 5 days ago which I would like to send to you in the next post. His lymphocytes have significantly gone up in the last 5 days, and his monocytes have gone down. He acts totally normal inbetween the episodes of diarrhea, and he hasnt ran a fever.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Milk protein allergy or pseudo membranous enterocolitis

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

In the present scenario of stool mixed with blood and mucus with blood report showing lymphocytic leucocytosis I would like to rule out milk protein allergy first.
Please let me know about his present feeds.
Blood and mucus mixed stool is not suggestive of viral diarrhea.
I would like to know if he was on antibiotic.Although pseudo membranous colitis an antibiotic associated entity takes long time to develop it should be ruled out by culture test.

Other possibility is INTUSSUSCEPTION.A surgical condition common in this age and presentation with blood and mucus in stool.

So I would suggest you to change the formula feed he is getting currently.
Get an USG abdomen done to rule out Intussusception and stool culture for clostridium difficile(pseudo membranous colitis).
If USG comes normal get an antibiotic course after consulting your physician which should be effective in bacterial dysentery and pseudo membranous colitis.
I won't get worried for lymphocytosis as it is never suggestive of serious condition like neutrophilic leucocytosis.

I hope with this management the condition should improve.

Please do ask if you have any query.

Wish your baby speedy recovery.

Regards

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