The stool of infants is unique in appearance due to their liquid diet. A visible attribute of an infant’s poop is the presence of mucus. Mucus in baby poop is not always a cause of concern, and it could be due to natural or unusual reasons. Read this MomJunction to know everything you should about mucus in baby stool, what causes it and if you should do anything about it.
What Is Mucus In Poop?
Mucus is a natural, jelly-like secretion produced by the mucous cells present across the gastrointestinal tract. Mucus provides lubrication within the intestine and also works as a barrier between bacteria and the epithelial cells that line the inside of the intestines (1) Secretions, such as saliva and snot, from other parts of the body, are also types of mucus.
Swallowed saliva and nasal mucus reach the gastrointestinal tract where they combine with the mucus secreted in the digestive system. Mucus travels with the waste generated by the intestine and is eventually discarded through stools (2) Therefore, having some mucus in stools is normal and a part of the body’s normal function.
Knowing how to identify mucus in the baby’s everyday stools will help you determine whether or not it is normal.
How To Identify Mucus In Baby’s Stool?
Your baby’s poop will have natural mucus that can be identified through the following indicators:
- Clear strings and striations in the poop. It appears as streaks on the stool.
- Gel-like coagulation. You will see lumps of stool with a gel-like consistency.
- Shine or glisten of the stool, similar to a gel.
Your baby’s stool will not look abnormal when the amount of mucus is normal. It is when the mucus is in excess or accompanied by another symptom that it becomes a sign of a problem.
When Can Mucus In The Baby’s Stool Be A Cause Of Concern?
The following signs of mucus in the baby’s stool could indicate a problem:
- Excessive mucus. The poop is entirely slimy, and the infant consistently poops that way. The excessive mucus may also appear as white puddles in the poop.
- Mucus contains blood spots. Poop is slimy and includes tiny red spots of blood.
- Baby cries while pooping due to the discomfort they experience when they poop.
- Other symptoms of ill health. Mucus-ridden stools and other symptoms such as stomachache, fever, poor appetite, and general lethargy.
Take your baby to a doctor if you see these signs or if you suddenly notice mucus in stools. There are various reasons why a baby could have more mucus in the stools.
What Could Cause Excess Mucus In The Baby’s Poop?
Some conditions cause excessive production of mucus by the mucous membranes:
- Irritable bowel syndrome: A genetic ailment that causes several symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and the presence of excessive white-colored mucus. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) consistently produce excess mucus (3) (4). At least 25% (1 out of 4) of the time, the stool will contain surplus mucus (5).
- Intussusception: A condition where a section of the intestine collapses and folds on itself to create a ring-like blockage. It is most common among babies between the ages of five to nine months (6). Intussusception can cause the baby to excrete jelly-like, mucus-ridden stools (7).
- Ulcerative colitis: It is chronic inflammation of the large intestine. Irritation of the bowel, pain, and stool with mucus are among the symptoms (8). Ulcerative colitis is one of the many inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) (9).
- Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that leads to excess production of mucus. It leads to the accumulation of excessive mucus in the lungs and digestive system (10). Infants with the condition may excrete more mucus than usual.
- Intestinal infection: Several intestinal pathogens can lead to the passage of more mucus in stools. Examples of some infections are E. coli bacteria infection (11), and infections due to intestinal parasites (12).
- Bowel polyps: These are small growths emerging from the inner lining of the gastrointestinal tract. They often lead to rectal bleeding and mucus in stools (13). Polyps in infants and toddlers are called juvenile polyps (14).
- Allergies: An infant with allergies and food intolerance can excrete excessive mucus in their stool. This happens because of the inflammation of the intestine due to ingestion of an allergic food (15).
Conditions that cause excess mucus in the stools also lead to other symptoms such as blood in the stool, abdominal cramps, poor appetite, and diarrhea. It means mucus is more likely to be obvious when your baby has mucus due to a problem.
Diagnosing The Causes Of Excess Stool Mucus
The doctor performs the following tests to determine the presence of any problem:
- Physical and visual examination: The doctor will feel for any swelling or anomaly in the abdominal cavity. The rectal opening may be checked for the presence of any problem or protrusion of a bowel polyp.
- Stool test: A lab analysis of the stool sample determines the quantity of mucus and also the presence of any pathogen.
- X-Ray: An X-Ray provides a picture of any obstruction within the intestines.
- Ultrasound: A standard abdominal ultrasound provides details of the gastrointestinal tract, the presence of polyps, and blockages.
- Colonoscopy: A procedure in which the doctor inserts a probe into the large intestine through the rectal opening. The probe contains a camera to observe the inner lining of the intestine.
Colonoscopy may be used as a last resort when other diagnostic methods fail or provide inconclusive results. Infants and toddlers undergoing this procedure will be under the influence of general anesthesia (16).
Does Mucus In The Baby’s Stool Require Treatment?
Normal amounts of mucus in the stool do not warrant treatment. However, excess mucus accompanied by other problematic symptoms will need management and cure. Here is what is done to treat excess mucus in the baby’s stool:
- Medication to treat the infections. The baby will stop pooping mucus-laden stools once the pathogen is eliminated.
- Diet change to remove the suspected allergen can help subdue gastrointestinal allergy. The doctor will also suggest alternative food option to replace the allergen.
- Surgery may be necessary in the case of severe Intussusception and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Long-term management is necessary in the case of genetic diseases that often do not have a definitive cure. Effective management as suggested by the doctor is the only way to alleviate the symptoms like excess mucus in the stools.
The amount of mucus in the baby’s stool will return to normal once the underlying condition is treated. Also, an infant’s stools are likely to get firmer once they start eating solid foods. Preventing infections and managing any genetic ailment is vital to avoid secretion of mucus in the poop.
What did you do to deal with excess mucus in the baby’s poop? Do tell us in the comment section below.
References:
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