Hematochezia

Haematochezia
Classification and external resources
Specialty	Gastroenterology
ICD-9-CM	578.1
DiseasesDB	19317
MeSH	D006471

Haematochezia (or hematochezia, from Greek αἷμα ("blood") and χέζειν ("to defaecate")) is the passage of fresh blood through the anus, usually in or with stools (contrast with melena).^[1] Haematochezia is commonly associated with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, but may also occur from a brisk upper gastrointestinal bleed. The difference between hematochezia and rectorrhagia is that, in the latter, rectal bleeding is not associated with defecation; instead, it is associated with expulsion of fresh bright red blood without stools.^[2] The phrase bright red blood per rectum (BRBPR) is associated with hematochezia and rectorrhagia.

Causes

In adults, most common causes are hemorrhoids and diverticulosis, both of which are relatively benign; however, it can also be caused by colorectal cancer, which is potentially fatal. In a newborn infant, haematochezia may be the result of swallowed maternal blood at the time of delivery, but can also be an initial symptom of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious condition affecting premature infants. In babies, haematochezia in conjunction with abdominal pain is associated with intussusception. In adolescents and young adults, inflammatory bowel disease, particularly ulcerative colitis, is a serious cause of haematochezia that must be considered and excluded.

Haematochezia can be due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, as the blood from such a bleed is usually chemically modified by action of acid and enzymes, it presents more commonly as black "tarry" feces known as melena. Haematochezia from an upper gastrointestinal source is an ominous sign, as it suggests a very significant bleed which is more likely to be life-threatening.

Beeturia can cause red colored feces after eating beets because of insufficient metabolism of a red pigment, and is a differential sign that may be mistaken as haematochezia.

Consumption of dragon fruit or pitaya may also cause red discoloration of the stool and sometimes the urine (pseudohematuria). This too, is a differential sign that is sometimes mistaken for hematochezia.

Reddish stool in toilet bowl water due to dragon fruit consumption

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

Other common causes of blood in the stool include:

• Colorectal cancer^{[3][4][5][6][7]}
• Crohns disease^[8]
• Ulcerative colitis^[9]
• Other types of inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome, or ulceration
• Rectal or anal hemorrhoids or anal fissures, particularly if they rupture or are otherwise irritated^[10]
• Shigella ^[11] or shiga toxin producing ^[12] E. coli food poisoning^[13]
• Necrotizing enterocolitis^[14]
• Diverticulosis^[15]
• Salmonellosis^[16]
• Upper gastrointestinal bleeding^[17]
• Peptic ulcer disease^[18]
• Esophageal varices^[19]
• Gastric cancer^[20]
• Intense exercise, especially a high-impact activity like running in hot weather.^[21]

See also

• Blood in stool

References

1. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. Donald Venes. 20th Edition. Page 955.
2. Sáenz, Roque; Valdivieso, Eduardo. "Approach to lower gastrointestinal bleeding" (PDF). p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-12-13.
3. "Colon Cancer Symptoms - What are Colon Cancer Symptoms". Coloncancer.about.com. 2009-01-20. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
4. "Colon cancer: Symptoms". MayoClinic.com. 2011-08-13. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
5. Lenz, Heinz-Josef (2009-03-06). "What are Early Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer? Watch out for Small Changes". Alexandria, Virginia, United States: Fight Colorectal Cancer. Archived from the original on 2009-03-10. Retrieved 2013-02-23.
6. "Colon Cancer Symptoms - Colorectal Cancer Symptoms". Webmd.com. 2010-10-31. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
7. "Crohn's Disease: Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Merck Manual Home Edition". Merckmanuals.com. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
8. "Crohn's disease: Symptoms". MayoClinic.com. 2011-08-09. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
9. "Ulcerative Colitis - Symptoms, Causes and Treatments of Ulcerative Colitis". Webmd.com. 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
11. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/shigellosis/basics.html
12. http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/idepc/diseases/ecoli/basics.html
13. "Symptoms of E. coli Infection | E. coli Food Poisoning". About-ecoli.com. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
15. "Diverticulitis: Diverticular Disease: Merck Manual Home Edition". Merckmanuals.com. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
16. "Salmonella infection: Symptoms". MayoClinic.com. 2011-04-16. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
17. Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding at eMedicine
18. "Peptic ulcer: Symptoms". MayoClinic.com. 2011-01-06. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
19. "Esophageal varices: Symptoms". MayoClinic.com. 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2012-01-31.
20. Gastric Cancer at eMedicine
21. Davis, Matthew; Davis, Peter; Ross, David (2005). Expert Guide to Sports Medicine. American College of Physicians. p. 136.

External links

• Case presentation
• 13 pages at medicinenet.com