Differential Diagnosis for Green Poop
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Bile pigment: Green poop can be caused by the presence of bile pigments in the stool, which is a common and harmless condition. This occurs when bile is not fully absorbed in the intestines, giving the stool a greenish color.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Viral gastroenteritis: Certain viruses, such as norovirus, can cause green poop due to the rapid transit of stool through the intestines, which doesn't allow for the complete breakdown of bile pigments.
- Food coloring or dyes: Consuming foods or drinks with green food coloring can temporarily turn the stool green.
- Iron supplements: Iron supplements can cause green or black stools due to the oxidation of iron.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Intussusception: A rare condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another part, which can cause green or bloody stools. This condition requires immediate medical attention.
- Bowel obstruction: A blockage in the intestines can cause green or bloody stools, and if left untreated, can lead to severe complications.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause green stools due to inflammation and bleeding in the intestines.
- Rare diagnoses
- Giardiasis: A parasitic infection that can cause green, frothy stools, although this is relatively rare in developed countries.
- Malabsorption disorders: Certain conditions, such as celiac disease or pancreatic insufficiency, can cause malabsorption of nutrients and bile pigments, leading to green stools.
- Pseudomembranous colitis: A rare condition caused by an overgrowth of Clostridioides difficile bacteria, which can cause green or bloody stools.