Differential Diagnosis for Black Stool in a 1-Year-Old
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastrointestinal bleeding from a swallowed maternal blood (e.g., during breastfeeding): This is a common cause of black stools in infants, especially if the mother has a bleeding nipple or if the infant has swallowed blood during delivery.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Ingestion of substances that color the stool black (e.g., iron supplements, black licorice, or certain medications): Infants may accidentally ingest substances that can cause black stools.
- Gastrointestinal infection or inflammation (e.g., gastritis or duodenitis): Certain infections or inflammatory conditions can cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to black stools.
- Allergic colitis or cow's milk protein allergy: These conditions can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, which may result in black stools.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Intussusception: A life-threatening condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another, causing bowel obstruction and potentially severe bleeding.
- Volvolus or intestinal malrotation: Conditions that can cause bowel obstruction and ischemia, leading to bleeding and potentially black stools.
- Meckel's diverticulum: A congenital anomaly that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding, especially in infants.
Rare Diagnoses
- Hemorrhagic disease of the newborn: A rare condition caused by vitamin K deficiency, leading to bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.
- Congenital or acquired gastrointestinal vascular malformations: Rare conditions that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding and black stools.
- Ingestion of a foreign body that causes gastrointestinal bleeding: Although rare, infants may ingest objects that can cause bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract.