Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My daughter is 19 months old, and she passed a dark black putty stool today. She has been taking iron supplements for anemia for three and a half months now, and I have never seen a stool like this before.
Should I get her checked over at the emergency room?
Please help.
Thank you.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
Dark-colored stool is probably due to iron supplements; you may not have noticed it previously, or it may be that yesterday she was given a larger amount of iron supplement. Dark-colored stool due to blood is unlikely if there is no underlying liver disease or swallowed blood due to any cause. You need to worry if there is fresh blood in the stool.
Advise:
1. Stop the iron supplements for a few days because you have never seen dark-colored stool previously. Persistent dark stool despite no iron supplement is abnormal and requires evaluation.
2. Keep a close watch for fresh blood; if you find it, it is necessary to investigate.
3. Post a photo of the stool if possible.
I hope it helps.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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