Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 19, 2026

Studying Murine Small Bowel Mechanosensing of Luminal Particulates
10:21

Studying Murine Small Bowel Mechanosensing of Luminal Particulates

Published on: March 18, 2022

Bowel movements of normal Thai infants

Banchaun Benjasuwantep1, Nichara Ruangdaraganon

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Medical Center, Srinakharinwirot University, Nakhon Nayok, Thailand. banchaun_b@yahoo.com

The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|October 22, 2009
PubMed

Insights

This study tracked healthy Thai infant bowel movements, finding frequency decreases and stool consistency solidifies by 12 months. Infant stool volume increases with age, with regularity established around 4 months.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infant Health

Background:

  • Understanding typical infant bowel movements is crucial for assessing gastrointestinal health.
  • Variations in infant stool frequency, consistency, and volume can indicate developmental changes or health issues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish normative data for bowel movements in healthy Thai infants up to 12 months of age.
  • To document changes in stool frequency, consistency, and volume throughout the first year of life.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study involving 50 healthy Thai infants.
  • Parental daily recording of bowel habits for 2 days prior to monthly visits from 1 to 12 months of age.

Main Results:

  • Mean bowel movement frequency decreased from 3.16 stools/day in newborns to 1.59 stools/day at 12 months.
  • Stool consistency shifted from runny at birth to more solid by 4 months.
  • Mean stool volume increased from 32.7 ml at 1 month to 45.34 ml at 12 months.

Conclusions:

  • Infant bowel movements undergo significant changes in frequency, consistency, and volume during the first year.
  • Regular bowel movements are typically established by 4 months, with nocturnal movements ceasing around 3 months.

Related Concept Videos

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus01:25

Assessment of the Rectum and Anus

Evaluating the rectum and anus plays a crucial role in conducting a thorough physical examination of the gastrointestinal system. Although it may be uncomfortable and often embarrassing for the patient, it holds immense diagnostic value, particularly in detecting gastrointestinal diseases and abnormalities. This guide will explain how to perform this assessment using inspection and palpation methods.
Rectal Inspection
Begin by inspecting the perianal and anal areas for color, texture, rashes,...
Anatomy of the Intestines01:23

Anatomy of the Intestines

Although digestion of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids may begin in the stomach, it is completed in the intestine. The absorption of nutrients, water, and electrolytes from food and drink also occurs in the intestine. The intestines can be divided into two structurally distinct organs—the small and large intestines.
Small Intestines
The small intestine is an ~7 meter-long tube with an inner diameter of just 2.5 cm. Since most nutrients are absorbed here, the inner lining of the small...
Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation01:25

Assessment of the Abdomen I: Inspection and Auscultation

Introduction
The abdominal examination is a cornerstone of clinical medicine, serving as a critical tool in diagnosing various gastrointestinal (GI) diseases. It involves a systematic approach that includes inspection and auscultation, each with distinct yet complementary roles in assessing the abdomen. This article will delve into these two primary methods healthcare professionals use to examine the abdomen.
Inspection of the Abdomen
The first step in any abdominal examination is inspection.
Feces Formation and Defecation01:26

Feces Formation and Defecation

After spending 3 to 10 hours in the large intestine, chyme loses a lot of water and becomes feces, the final product of digestion. Feces consist of undigested dietary fiber such as cellulose, mucus, sloughed-off epithelial cells, and microbes. The descending and sigmoid colon stores feces and uses haustral contractions to dry it out but retains enough water to give it a semi-solid texture.
The mass peristalsis then pushes the feces into the rectum, which stretches the rectal walls to activate...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Digestive Functions of the Large Intestine01:20

Digestive Functions of the Large Intestine

The large intestine is where the final stages of digestion happen. When the cecum receives chyme, it contains undigested carbohydrates that undergo fermentation. Gut bacteria ferment these carbohydrates to produce short-chain fatty acids that provide some energy and help synthesize essential vitamins.
As the chyme moves to the colon, it triggers two characteristic sluggish contractions - haustral churning and mass peristalsis. Haustral churning involves the rhythmic contraction and relaxation...