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Hematochezia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| ICD-10 | K62.5 |
|---|---|
| ICD-9 | 569.3 |
Hematochezia is the passage of bloody stools from the rectum.[1] It is distinguished from melena, which is stool with blood that has been altered by the gut flora and appears black/"tarry". Hematochezia is commonly associated with lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
In adults, the most common causes are hemorrhoids and diverticulosis, both of which are relatively benign; however, it can also be caused by colorectal cancer, which is frequently fatal. In the neonate, hematochezia can be an initial symptom of necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious condition.
Hematochezia can be due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. However, as the blood from such a bleeding is usually chemically modified by action of acid and enzymes, it presents more commonly as melena. Hematochezia from an upper gastrointestinal source is an ominous sign, as it suggests a very brisk bleed which is life threatening.
- ^ eMedicine/Stedman Medical Dictionary Lookup!: hematochezia. Stedman's Dictionary. eMedicine.com (2005). Retrieved on 2006-06-10.
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