Bloody Stools in a 3-Day-Old Term Infant

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Medicine
• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

• Newborns can present with gastrointestinal bleeding, requiring prompt evaluation.
• Risk factors and differential diagnoses for bloody stools in term infants are critical.
• Electrolyte imbalances can complicate the clinical picture in neonates.

Observation:

• A 3-day-old male infant presented with hematochezia (bloody stools).
• Physical examination revealed tachycardia, tachypnea, and scleral icterus.
• Laboratory findings included significant hypernatremia and a prolonged international normalized ratio.

Findings:

• Stool was hemeoccult positive.
• Abdominal radiography suggested possible pneumatosis intestinalis.
• Coagulation studies indicated a prolonged prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time.

Implications:

• This case highlights the importance of a thorough workup for bloody stools in neonates.
• Early recognition of electrolyte abnormalities and coagulopathy is crucial for timely intervention.
• Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential for managing complex neonatal cases.