Causes Of White Poop In Babies
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There are many things that need to be taken care of with a baby around; from their feeding routines, sleep schedules, diaper changes to their bath times. While new mothers generally keep themselves aware of most issues related to breastfeeding and sleep schedules, they are often caught unawares on finding different hues to their baby’s poop. During the first few days of a baby’s life, the color of the stool may be darker shades of green or black. This is because of meconium, which consists of all the stuff that a baby ingests in the womb – amniotic fluids, tissues, a certain amount of blood, etc. Later on, the color of the stools may change to yellow, green, or shades of brown, which is normal even though your baby’s diet may still consist of breast milk or formula.
However, the real concern should be if your baby’s poop is a pale shade of yellow, gray, chalky white, or white. This could generally mean an infection or a liver problem and it is prudent to visit a pediatrician as soon as possible.
So What Is It That Makes Your Baby’s Stool Turn White?
If your baby has recently been on a medication that contained aluminum hydroxide, had antibiotics or antifungal medicines, or had undergone a barium enema test that allows your doctor to take a look at the intestinal tract, then all of these could result in a white poop. However, sometimes a diet that consists solely of milk can also cause white stools(1). But these two are rare causes of white stools, which, otherwise, indicates that there could be a block in your baby’s liver which causes hindrance to the bile juice flow. Such a hindrance should be taken seriously because it could also prove fatal. Here are some of the instances that may obstruct the bile flow –
1. Biliary Atresia
This condition is generally present from the time of birth when the bile ducts within and outside the liver are either not developed or blocked. The primary indications of this disease include jaundice after second or third week, weight loss after the first month, enlarged spleen, foul-smelling poop, darker urine, and slow growth. Kasai operation, a surgical procedure, is performed to correct this problem by connecting the liver to the small intestine and should be performed within the baby’s 8th week of age.
Biliary Atresia also causes biliary cirrhosis, where blood flow to the liver is obstructed due to scarring or damage of the liver.
2. Hepatitis
Meaning inflammation of the liver, hepatitis can be caused by various liver disease like a viral infection, immature liver, or other health issues. It is characterized by enlarged spleen or liver, jaundice, and slow growth and generally resolves on its own. However, in rare cases, it may require long-term monitoring. At times, bile flow enhancing medications may be prescribed by doctors.
3. Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
Alpha-1-Antitrypsin is a protein, which protects the lungs and the liver from damage, and its deficiency in babies could result in liver inflammation or damage. Jaundice, weight loss, umbilicus (nasal) bleeding, and enlarged liver and spleen are all signs of this disease. This condition requires regular monitoring of liver functions, growth, and development, vitamins and special milk formula supplements to alleviate its symptoms.
4. Alagille Syndrome
A genetic disorder, which is characterized by less number of small bile ducts in the liver, this condition accumulates bile in the liver, resulting in liver disease or damage. Dark urine, white stools, itching, and a worsening jaundice are all signs of this disease. Medications and therapies involving improvement of the bile flow, nutritional deficiencies, growth, and development are all used to treat this syndrome. A liver transplant may be required in future for people suffering from this syndrome.
A white baby poop may be a cause for concern, but let that not send you into panic mode. Remember that most of the diseases or deficiencies can be corrected if they are treated on time. So, do not delay in visiting the pediatrician on first signs of any liver-related disease – which is a white stool.
