Question
A five-and-a-half-year-old girl frequently has stool with mucus and blood threads. The color is not bright red. How should parents respond?
Answer
During the growth period, a five-year-old child may encounter situations where their stool contains blood, which can be harmful to their health and cause discomfort. The causes of stool bleeding are diverse, and when a child’s small intestine mucosa is damaged, it can lead to blood appearing in the stool. Most often, a positive occult blood test in stool indicates that the child’s intestines may be intolerant to certain foods, causing small intestine mucosal damage. These blood enter the intestinal cavity and may remain there for a while before being expelled with the stool. During this time, they can be broken down by intestinal fluids. Therefore, positive occult blood in stool tests can lead to the observation of stool bleeding symptoms. Parents should closely monitor their child’s dietary habits and seek medical advice when necessary.