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Stool Tests
Stool, also called feces, is usually thought of as nothing but waste — something to quickly flush away. But bowel movements can provide doctors with valuable information as to what's wrong when your child has a problem in the stomach, intestines, or another part of the allergy or inflammation in the body, such as part of the evaluation of bacteria, viruses, or parasites that invade the gastrointestinal system
digestive problems, such as the malabsorption of certain sugars, fats, or nutrients
bleeding inside of the gastrointestinal tract
The most common reason to collect stool is to determine whether a type of bacteria or parasite may be infecting the intestine. Many microscopic organisms live in the intestine that are necessary for normal digestion. Sometimes, however, the intestine may become infected with harmful bacteria or parasites that cause a variety of conditions, such as certain types of bloody diarrhea. It may then be necessary to examine the stool under a microscope, culture the stool, and perform other tests to help find the cause of the problem.
Stools are also sometimes analyzed for the substances they contain. An example of stool analysis includes examining the fat content of stools. Normally, fat is completely absorbed from the intestine, and the stool contains virtually no fat. In certain types of digestive disorders, however, fat is incompletely absorbed and remains in the stool.
Collecting a Stool Specimen
Unlike most other lab tests, stool is sometimes collected by the child's family at home, not by a health care professional. Here are some tips for collecting a stool specimen from your child:
- Collecting stool can be messy, so be sure to wear latex gloves and Cheryl M. Coffin, MD
Date reviewed: June 2006