Blood in stool

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Blood in stool
Classification and external resources
ICD-9 578.1
DiseasesDB 19317
MedlinePlus 003130

In medicine, when referring to human feces, Blood in stool can refer to multiple conditions:

  • Melena, with more blackish appearance, originating in upper parts of the GI tract
  • Hematochezia, with more red color, originating in latter parts of the GI tract

The term is usually not used to describe fecal occult blood, which refers to blood only found after testing is performed.

In infants, the Apt test can be used to distinguish Fetal hemoglobin from maternal blood.


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