Blood in Stool

[tboyd]

My (almost 5 year old) son has has blood in his stool since he was 2.

Originally told that he was constipated and had fissures, put him on lactulose - this did not solve his problem.

Last August, they finally did a colonoscopy and found a large polyp, some inflammation in the large colon and some 'nodules'.  They could not remove the polyp because of poor bowel prep as well as some concern about bleed time while taking biopsies.

Blood tests all came back normal (i.e. no von willebrand...).

Biopsies came back normal.

Second colonoscopy scheduled for last November to finally remove the polyp.  Bowel prep was good, and the colon looked good (no inflammation and no nodules), however, the polyp was sessile in nature and therefore they could not remove it.  We were referred to general surgery.

Surgery scheduled for Feb 2010 - no bowel prep needed, they would cleanse him on the table.  Two hours later the surgeon came out and told me they couldn't find the polyp - basically had a sigmoidoscopy.  He must have pooped it out.  GOOD NEWS - right??  Problem solved!

One week later blood/mucus in stool again/still.  Never blood on toilet paper.

My son NEVER complains about pain while having a bowel movement - he literally sings and reads books while on the toilet!.  Most of his stools are pretty soft and mushy (but never more than one bm a day - so not worried about crohn's etc).

He has also had an upper scope,  Meckels Scan and ESSB and all came back normal.

Could it really just be fissures and the polyp was just a coincidence?

Can you have fissures without pain?  Why would he have fissures if he is not having large, hard bowel movements?

Any insights would be appreciated.

[bgb1976]

I def would be finding another Gastro dr to go to.. I would be freaking out. I am 33 just had a polyp removed tuesday due to blood in stool for 2 years and I was a nervous wreck. Please find another dr and keep us updated.

[mammo]

I agree with the last post.  Polyps never just go away, and they can cause bleeding. What are they doing about the nodules?  These need to be addressed as well.  Has anyone in your family been diagnosed with colon cancer at an early age?  Your son is very young to have a polyps and nodules.  I would find a different pediatric GI doctor and get a second opinion.  There is an hereditary colon disease that presnts with polyps at a very young age.  I've had 5 family members diagnosed with it and lost a son and grandson.  Get a second opinion and definitely not from someone your current doctor would recommend.  Review you family members to include grandparents, although this disease can happen randomly.  Please keep us posted on how your son is doing and don't mess around with this doctor any longer.  Take care...

[tboyd]

We are currently being seen by the GI Dept. in a world renowned children's hospital.  Not sure where else we would go!  We have seen a number of different doctors and I feel like this may be part of the problem...  I have asked to review my son's file with one  (specific) Ped. GI. in the hopes that she can confirm whether anything was missed...will see what happens.

[mammo]

Children's Medical Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio is the premiere unit in the country for Pediatric Gastroenterology, you may want to check them out.  Parents travel from all over the country to have their children cared for there.  I would never want to scare or worry you, but my grandson was in a very good Children's hospital and they missed a lot and this is why we lost him.  My son was in 3 major hospitals to include the Cleveland Clinic, and it turned out to be UC Medical Hospital in Cinti., that finally had an answer, but it was too late for him.  My sons were diagnose at 12 and 16, my grandson at 10.  Just ask the GI if this could be FAP, she will know what you're talking about, if she doesn't run! Good luck to you.

[tboyd]

Hi mammo - I am still trying to find out what is going on with my son who is now 5 years old.  

You mentioned FAP - why did all the other doctors miss this diagnosis?  What are the early signs and symptoms that were overlooked?  

The doctors are at a loss and don't seen too concerned because he is otherwise not sick (which we are grateful for).

Any further information would be greatly appreciated.

Tanya