newborn constipation resulting in rectal bleeding

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Specializes in PACU.

i have a major concern, my sister girlfrind just had a baby 2wks old. both parents are from africa and can hardly speak english or understand it. their baby a girl was constipated (1day)they took her to the clinic where she got a prescription for a suppository? at the phamacy they person at the counter told the father he could get the same script otc, so he did and it was an adult suppository. by the end of the night the baby recieived to suppositories and now she is constantly bleeding from her rectum. the baby was taken to the hospital and has been there for 2days now, i was told she had an xray or ultrasound, blood work and they are currently giving her different formlas to see which one she will tolerate.also the parents said the baby was bleeding before the suppository. my question is does any of this sound really weird?? can formula make a baby bleed from the rectum? ( i understand it could be from the straining and constipation), but isnt there something they can do first to stop the constipation and bleeding then worry about the formula?? i am curious and very concerned, but i dont know the whole story. i only know what my sisters friend told her, but my sisters friend probably doesnt really understand herself because of the language barrier. my last question is has this happened to anyone else's kids, is it common because the docs at the hospital is telling the parents that everything is gonna be ok and not to worry. i dont have kids but i have younger brothers that i helped tske care of and neices and nephews and this is very knew to me.....

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Specializes in PACU.

sorry for all the grammar errors i am rushing because i have to take my mom to the market before she stopos yelling and starts hitting!!!!! :)

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At birth, did the baby have her first bowel movement with in 48 hours?

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Did the baby receive the full adult suppository? That would be my first concern......she should only be getting what we call a "chip' --which is a very small piece of one, it doens't matter if it was adult size or children's size, both are way to big for her.........

No poop for one day is usually not concern to give a suppository.........there is more to this story.

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Hi, I work in a special care nursery/NICU. I hope the baby is being cared for by a pediatrician. Litle ones are a whole other kind of critter from adults. Regarding constipation, most newborns make a big deal about bowel movementsand are sometimes mistakenly thought to be constipated when they are not. Constipation means the stool is large, hard and difficult to pass, sometimes causing rectal tearing. Some children have daily BMs and are still constipated while others go once a week and are not.

Rectal bleeding can be serious, depends on why the bleeding is occuring. Or it might simply be caused by constipation. There are lots of other conditions that cause rectal bleeding, some very serious, others minor. And yes, formula intolerance can cause rectal bleeding. Hope this helps, and hope the little one gets better soon.

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Specializes in PACU.
Did the baby receive the full adult suppository? That would be my first concern......she should only be getting what we call a "chip' --which is a very small piece of one, it doens't matter if it was adult size or children's size, both are way to big for her.........

No poop for one day is usually not concern to give a suppository.........there is more to this story.

my exact thoughts, i didint think suppository was required either. yes they gave her the full supository because they thought they were doing the right thing because thats what the clinic gave them. i certainly think theres ,more to the story but i have yet to find out. thanks for replying!

nanna4:the baby is being cared for by a pediatrician and thank you for your reply i will post the updates

hyperstudent: not sure if the baby had a bm in the first 48hrs, but i seriously think she did becuase if not the parents wouldnt have questioned it, becauese she didnt poop for a day and they immediately tried to find a solution. what is the concern with the baby having a bm in the first 48hrs anyway???? just curious. should they have it or shouldnt they? thanks!

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Specializes in Cath Lab, OR, CPHN/SN, ER.
what is the concern with the baby having a bm in the first 48hrs anyway???? just curious. should they have it or shouldnt they? thanks!

Babies should have their first bm soon after birth. If not, it could indicate several disorders, including cystic fibrosis. Has the baby had a bm at all? -A

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Specializes in PACU.
Babies should have their first bm soon after birth. If not, it could indicate several disorders, including cystic fibrosis. Has the baby had a bm at all? -A

thanks, i didnt know anything about that and yes the baby has been going reguarly up until now....

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Was this baby breastfed at all, or could it only be an allergy to its formula? If it is an allergy to formula, is your sister open to relactating? That might be one option.

Alison

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