Differential Diagnosis for Soft Orange Colored Poop
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Carrot or sweet potato consumption: The orange color of the poop is likely due to the high concentration of carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, found in these foods.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Giardiasis: This parasitic infection can cause malabsorption of fats, leading to steatorrhea (fatty stools) that may appear orange or yellow.
- Celiac disease: Malabsorption of fats and other nutrients can result in orange or yellow stools.
- Pancreatic insufficiency: Inadequate pancreatic enzyme production can lead to malabsorption of fats, causing orange or yellow stools.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Intestinal obstruction or ileus: Although less likely, an intestinal obstruction or ileus can cause a change in stool color, including orange, due to the accumulation of bile or other substances.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding: Upper GI bleeding can cause black, tarry stools, but if the blood is mixed with bile, it may appear orange or yellow.
- Rare diagnoses
- Pseudoporphyria: A rare condition characterized by the accumulation of porphyrins, which can cause orange or red discoloration of the stool.
- Lipochrome pigmentation: A rare condition where the stool appears orange or yellow due to the accumulation of lipochrome pigments.
- Certain medications (e.g., rifampicin, warfarin): Some medications can cause a change in stool color, including orange, although this is relatively rare.