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Medical Author:

Dedra R Tolson, MD

Medical Editor:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Rectal Bleeding in Children

Rectal bleeding in small children should be taken seriously. Some children may require admission to the hospital and evaluation by a surgeon.

Intussusception: This condition occurs when the bowel folds in upon itself. It is the most common cause of intestinal obstruction and rectal bleeding in children up to 36 months years. About 60% of cases occur within the first year of life.

The three cardinal symptoms are:

1. intermittent abdominal pains,
2. vomiting, and
3. rectal bleeding.

However, these are not always present. Admission to the hospital is warranted because observation, further imaging tests, and surgery may be required.