U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Format

Send to:

Choose Destination

Hematochezia

MedGen UID:
5481
Concept ID:
C0018932
Disease or Syndrome
Synonym: Hematochezias
SNOMED CT: Hematochezia (405729008); Bloody stool (405729008); Bright red blood in stool (405729008); Bright red blood per rectum (405729008); Passage of bloody stools (405729008); BRBPR - Bright red blood per rectum (405729008); Feces: blood (405729008); Blood in feces (405729008); Blood in stool (405729008); Fresh blood passed per rectum (405729008)
 
HPO: HP:0002573

Definition

The passage of fresh (red) blood per anus, usually in or with stools. Most rectal bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus. [from HPO]

Term Hierarchy

Conditions with this feature

Cronkhite-Canada syndrome
MedGen UID:
129128
Concept ID:
C0282207
Disease or Syndrome
Cronkhite-Canada syndrome is characterized by gastrointestinal hamartomatous polyposis, alopecia, onychodystrophy, skin hyperpigmentation, and diarrhea. It is associated with high morbidity (summary by Sweetser et al., 2012).
Juvenile polyposis syndrome
MedGen UID:
87518
Concept ID:
C0345893
Neoplastic Process
Juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS) is characterized by predisposition to hamartomatous polyps in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, specifically in the stomach, small intestine, colon, and rectum. The term "juvenile" refers to the type of polyp rather than to the age of onset of polyps. Most individuals with JPS have some polyps by age 20 years; some may have only four or five polyps over their lifetime, whereas others in the same family may have more than 100. If the polyps are left untreated, they may cause bleeding and anemia. Most juvenile polyps are benign; however, malignant transformation can occur. Risk for GI cancers ranges from 11% to 86%. Most of this increased risk is attributed to colon cancer, but cancers of the stomach, upper GI tract, and pancreas have also been reported. A combined syndrome of JPS and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is present in most individuals with an SMAD4 pathogenic variant.
Juvenile polyposis/hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia syndrome
MedGen UID:
331400
Concept ID:
C1832942
Disease or Syndrome
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by the presence of multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that lack intervening capillaries and result in direct connections between arteries and veins. The most common clinical manifestation is spontaneous and recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis) beginning on average at age 12 years. Telangiectases (small AVMs) are characteristically found on the lips, tongue, buccal and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, face, and fingers. The appearance of telangiectases is generally later than epistaxis but may be during childhood. Large AVMs occur most often in the lungs, liver, or brain; complications from bleeding or shunting may be sudden and catastrophic. A minority of individuals with HHT have GI bleeding, which is rarely seen before age 50 years.
Telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 2
MedGen UID:
324960
Concept ID:
C1838163
Disease or Syndrome
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by the presence of multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that lack intervening capillaries and result in direct connections between arteries and veins. The most common clinical manifestation is spontaneous and recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis) beginning on average at age 12 years. Telangiectases (small AVMs) are characteristically found on the lips, tongue, buccal and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, face, and fingers. The appearance of telangiectases is generally later than epistaxis but may be during childhood. Large AVMs occur most often in the lungs, liver, or brain; complications from bleeding or shunting may be sudden and catastrophic. A minority of individuals with HHT have GI bleeding, which is rarely seen before age 50 years.
Vascular hyalinosis
MedGen UID:
376398
Concept ID:
C1848590
Disease or Syndrome
A rare systemic disease characterized by progressive hyalinosis involving capillaries, arterioles and small veins of the digestive tract, kidneys, and retina, associated with idiopathic cerebral calcifications, manifesting with severe diarrhea (with rectal bleeding and malabsorption), nephropathy (with renal failure and systemic hypertension), chorioretinal scarring, and subarachnoid hemorrhage. Poikiloderma and premature greying of the hair may be additionally observed.
Congenital bile acid synthesis defect 4
MedGen UID:
388039
Concept ID:
C1858328
Disease or Syndrome
Congenital bile acid synthesis defect type 4 (BAS defect type 4) is an anomaly of bile acid synthesis (see this term) characterized by mild cholestatic liver disease, fat malabsorption and/or neurological disease.
Inflammatory bowel disease 11
MedGen UID:
393069
Concept ID:
C2674051
Disease or Syndrome
An inflammatory bowel disease that has material basis in variation in the chromosome region 7q22.
Inflammatory bowel disease 28
MedGen UID:
442630
Concept ID:
C2751053
Disease or Syndrome
An autosomal recessive condition caused by mutation(s) in the IL10RA gene, encoding interleukin-10 receptor subunit alpha. It is characterized by early-onset chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation.
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
419514
Concept ID:
C2931875
Disease or Syndrome
Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS) is characterized by oculocutaneous albinism, a bleeding diathesis, and, in some individuals, pulmonary fibrosis, granulomatous colitis, or immunodeficiency. Ocular findings include reduced iris pigment with iris transillumination, reduced retinal pigment, foveal hypoplasia with significant reduction in visual acuity (usually in the range of 20/50 to 20/400), nystagmus, and increased crossing of the optic nerve fibers. Hair color ranges from white to brown; skin color ranges from white to olive and is usually a shade lighter than that of other family members. The bleeding diathesis can result in variable bruising, epistaxis, gingival bleeding, postpartum hemorrhage, colonic bleeding, and prolonged bleeding with menses or after tooth extraction, circumcision, and other surgeries. Pulmonary fibrosis, a restrictive lung disease, typically causes symptoms in the early thirties and can progress to death within a decade. Granulomatous colitis is severe in about 15% of affected individuals. Neutropenia and/or immune defects occur primarily in individuals with pathogenic variants in AP3B1 and AP3D1.
Congenital bile acid synthesis defect 3
MedGen UID:
462497
Concept ID:
C3151147
Disease or Syndrome
Congenital bile acid synthesis defect-3 (CBAS3) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by prolonged jaundice after birth, hepatomegaly, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, elevations in characteristic abnormal bile acids, and progressive intrahepatic cholestasis with liver fibrosis (summary by Setchell et al., 1998 and Ueki et al., 2008). For a general phenotypic description and a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of congenital bile acid synthesis defects, see 607765.
Aicardi-Goutieres syndrome 7
MedGen UID:
854829
Concept ID:
C3888244
Disease or Syndrome
Most characteristically, Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) manifests as an early-onset encephalopathy that usually, but not always, results in severe intellectual and physical disability. A subgroup of infants with AGS present at birth with abnormal neurologic findings, hepatosplenomegaly, elevated liver enzymes, and thrombocytopenia, a picture highly suggestive of congenital infection. Otherwise, most affected infants present at variable times after the first few weeks of life, frequently after a period of apparently normal development. Typically, they demonstrate the subacute onset of a severe encephalopathy characterized by extreme irritability, intermittent sterile pyrexias, loss of skills, and slowing of head growth. Over time, as many as 40% develop chilblain skin lesions on the fingers, toes, and ears. It is becoming apparent that atypical, sometimes milder, cases of AGS exist, and thus the true extent of the phenotype associated with pathogenic variants in the AGS-related genes is not yet known.
Polyglucosan body myopathy type 1
MedGen UID:
863042
Concept ID:
C4014605
Disease or Syndrome
Polyglucosan body myopathy-1 (PGBM1) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by onset in childhood of progressive proximal muscle weakness, resulting in difficulties in ambulation. Most patients also develop progressive dilated cardiomyopathy, which may necessitate cardiac transplant in severe cases. A small subset of patients present with severe immunodeficiency and a hyperinflammatory state in very early childhood (summary by Boisson et al., 2012 and Nilsson et al., 2013). Genetic Heterogeneity of Polyglucosan Body Myopathy See also PGBM2 (616199), caused by mutation in the GYG1 gene (603942) on chromosome 3q24.
Platelet abnormalities with eosinophilia and immune-mediated inflammatory disease
MedGen UID:
1618052
Concept ID:
C4540232
Disease or Syndrome
Immunodeficiency-71 with inflammatory disease and congenital thrombocytopenia (IMD71) is an autosomal recessive immunologic disorder characterized by the onset of recurrent infections and inflammatory features such as vasculitis and eczema in infancy or early childhood. Infectious agents include bacteria and viruses. Laboratory findings are variable, but usually show thrombocytopenia, sometimes with abnormal platelet morphology, increased serum IgE, IgA, or IgM, leukocytosis, decreased or increased T lymphocytes, and increased eosinophils. Detailed studies show impaired neutrophil and T-cell chemotaxis, as well as impaired T-cell activation due to defects in F-actin (see 102610) polymerization (summary by Brigida et al., 2018).
Telangiectasia, hereditary hemorrhagic, type 1
MedGen UID:
1643786
Concept ID:
C4551861
Disease or Syndrome
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is characterized by the presence of multiple arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) that lack intervening capillaries and result in direct connections between arteries and veins. The most common clinical manifestation is spontaneous and recurrent nosebleeds (epistaxis) beginning on average at age 12 years. Telangiectases (small AVMs) are characteristically found on the lips, tongue, buccal and gastrointestinal (GI) mucosa, face, and fingers. The appearance of telangiectases is generally later than epistaxis but may be during childhood. Large AVMs occur most often in the lungs, liver, or brain; complications from bleeding or shunting may be sudden and catastrophic. A minority of individuals with HHT have GI bleeding, which is rarely seen before age 50 years.
Diarrhea 10, protein-losing enteropathy type
MedGen UID:
1648311
Concept ID:
C4748579
Disease or Syndrome
Diarrhea-10 (DIAR10) is a protein-losing enteropathy characterized by intractable secretory diarrhea and massive protein loss due to leaky fenestrated capillaries. Features include early-onset anasarca, severe hypoalbuminemia, hypogammaglobulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia, as well as electrolyte abnormalities. Some patients exhibit facial dysmorphism and cardiac and renal anomalies. Intrafamilial variability has been observed, and the disease can be severe, with death occurring in infancy in some patients (Broekaert et al., 2018; Kurolap et al., 2018). For a discussion of genetic heterogeneity of diarrhea, see DIAR1 (214700).
Developmental delay with or without intellectual impairment or behavioral abnormalities
MedGen UID:
1794214
Concept ID:
C5562004
Disease or Syndrome
Developmental delay with or without intellectual impairment or behavioral abnormalities (DDIB) is an autosomal dominant disorder with a nonspecific phenotype of developmental delay. Additional features may include neonatal feeding problems, hypotonia, and dysmorphic facial features (Dulovic-Mahlow et al., 2019; van Woerden et al., 2021).
Gastrointestinal defects and immunodeficiency syndrome 1
MedGen UID:
1806192
Concept ID:
C5680044
Disease or Syndrome
Gastrointestinal defects and immunodeficiency syndrome-1 (GIDID1) is characterized by multiple intestinal atresia, in which atresia occurs at various levels throughout the small and large intestines. Surgical outcomes are poor, and the condition is usually fatal within the first month of life. Some patients exhibit inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with or without intestinal atresia, and in some cases, the intestinal features are associated with either mild or severe combined immunodeficiency (Samuels et al., 2013; Avitzur et al., 2014; Lemoine et al., 2014). Genetic Heterogeneity of GIDID See also GIDID2 (619708), caused by mutation in the PI4KA gene (600286) on chromosome 22q11.
Immunodeficiency 113 with autoimmunity and autoinflammation
MedGen UID:
1851770
Concept ID:
C5882711
Disease or Syndrome
Immunodeficiency-113 with autoimmunity and autoinflammation (IMD113) is an autosomal recessive complex immunologic disorder with onset of symptoms in infancy. Affected individuals have recurrent infections and usually show features of autoimmunity and autoinflammation, such as hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and elevated acute phase reactants. More variable systemic features may include celiac disease or enteropathy, ileus, nephropathy, eczema, and dermatomyositis. Additional features include facial dysmorphism, scoliosis, and poor wound healing. One patient with neurodevelopmental abnormalities has been reported. The disorder results from dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton that affects certain cell lineages (Nunes-Santos et al., 2023).
Autoinflammation with episodic fever and immune dysregulation
MedGen UID:
1856440
Concept ID:
C5935613
Disease or Syndrome
Autoinflammation with episodic fever and immune dysregulation (AIFID) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent fever and autoinflammation affecting various organ systems. The onset of symptoms is in infancy or early childhood. Clinical features are highly variable and may include lymphadenopathy, inflammation of the joints, gastrointestinal inflammation, and parotitis. Laboratory studies show leukocytosis, often with neutrophilia, and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, 123260; erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR)), but immunoglobulins and other immune cells are essentially normal, and autoantibodies are not present. The features are consistent with immune dysregulation; some patients may have symptoms of mild immunodeficiency, such as chronic otitis media. Treatment with TNF (191160) inhibitors may result in significant clinical improvement (Oda et al., 2024).

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Kamboj AK, Hoversten P, Leggett CL
Mayo Clin Proc 2019 Apr;94(4):697-703. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.022. PMID: 30947833
Johnstone C, Rich SE
Ann Palliat Med 2018 Apr;7(2):265-273. Epub 2017 Dec 18 doi: 10.21037/apm.2017.11.01. PMID: 29307210
Strate LL, Gralnek IM
Am J Gastroenterol 2016 Apr;111(4):459-74. Epub 2016 Mar 1 doi: 10.1038/ajg.2016.41. PMID: 26925883Free PMC Article

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Adams SM, Close ED, Shreenath AP
Am Fam Physician 2022 Apr 1;105(4):406-411. PMID: 35426646
Costable NJ, Greenwald DA
Clin Geriatr Med 2021 Feb;37(1):155-172. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2020.09.001. PMID: 33213769
Kamboj AK, Hoversten P, Leggett CL
Mayo Clin Proc 2019 Apr;94(4):697-703. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.022. PMID: 30947833
de Oliveira EP, Burini RC, Jeukendrup A
Sports Med 2014 May;44 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S79-85. doi: 10.1007/s40279-014-0153-2. PMID: 24791919Free PMC Article
Adams SM, Bornemann PH
Am Fam Physician 2013 May 15;87(10):699-705. PMID: 23939448

Diagnosis

Awadie H, Zoabi A, Gralnek IM
Pol Arch Intern Med 2022 May 30;132(5) doi: 10.20452/pamw.16253. PMID: 35635400
Adams SM, Close ED, Shreenath AP
Am Fam Physician 2022 Apr 1;105(4):406-411. PMID: 35426646
Wan D, Krisko T
Clin Geriatr Med 2021 Feb;37(1):141-154. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2020.08.011. PMID: 33213768
Kamboj AK, Hoversten P, Leggett CL
Mayo Clin Proc 2019 Apr;94(4):697-703. doi: 10.1016/j.mayocp.2019.01.022. PMID: 30947833
Adams SM, Bornemann PH
Am Fam Physician 2013 May 15;87(10):699-705. PMID: 23939448

Therapy

Ellis C, Odunayo A, Tolbert MK
Top Companion Anim Med 2023 Sep-Dec;56-57:100824. Epub 2023 Oct 24 doi: 10.1016/j.tcam.2023.100824. PMID: 37884173
Lo ST, Walker AL, Georges CJ, Li RH, Stern JA
J Feline Med Surg 2022 Apr;24(4):277-283. Epub 2021 May 10 doi: 10.1177/1098612X211013736. PMID: 33966532Free PMC Article
Costable NJ, Greenwald DA
Clin Geriatr Med 2021 Feb;37(1):155-172. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2020.09.001. PMID: 33213769
Kovacs TOG, Jensen DM
Clin Liver Dis 2019 Nov;23(4):625-642. Epub 2019 Aug 30 doi: 10.1016/j.cld.2019.07.005. PMID: 31563215
Kedia S, Das P, Madhusudhan KS, Dattagupta S, Sharma R, Sahni P, Makharia G, Ahuja V
World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 28;25(4):418-432. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i4.418. PMID: 30700939Free PMC Article

Prognosis

Piccirillo M, Pucinischi V, Mennini M, Strisciuglio C, Iannicelli E, Giallorenzi MA, Furio S, Ferretti A, Parisi P, Di Nardo G
Ital J Pediatr 2024 Jan 23;50(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s13052-024-01592-2. PMID: 38263189Free PMC Article
Xu Y, Xiong L, Li Y, Jiang X, Xiong Z
Int J Colorectal Dis 2021 Jan;36(1):47-56. Epub 2020 Sep 16 doi: 10.1007/s00384-020-03739-z. PMID: 32936393Free PMC Article
Kedia S, Das P, Madhusudhan KS, Dattagupta S, Sharma R, Sahni P, Makharia G, Ahuja V
World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 28;25(4):418-432. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i4.418. PMID: 30700939Free PMC Article
Aoki T, Hirata Y, Yamada A, Koike K
World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 7;25(1):69-84. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i1.69. PMID: 30643359Free PMC Article
Nagar AB
Curr Gastroenterol Rep 2007 Oct;9(5):422-8. doi: 10.1007/s11894-007-0053-9. PMID: 17991345

Clinical prediction guides

Costable NJ, Greenwald DA
Clin Geriatr Med 2021 Feb;37(1):155-172. doi: 10.1016/j.cger.2020.09.001. PMID: 33213769
Kedia S, Das P, Madhusudhan KS, Dattagupta S, Sharma R, Sahni P, Makharia G, Ahuja V
World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 28;25(4):418-432. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i4.418. PMID: 30700939Free PMC Article
Aoki T, Hirata Y, Yamada A, Koike K
World J Gastroenterol 2019 Jan 7;25(1):69-84. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v25.i1.69. PMID: 30643359Free PMC Article
Díaz AM, Rodríguez LF, de Gracia MM
Radiologia 2017 May-Jun;59(3):249-252. Epub 2017 Jan 6 doi: 10.1016/j.rx.2016.11.002. PMID: 28069255
Limsrivilai J, Shreiner AB, Pongpaibul A, Laohapand C, Boonanuwat R, Pausawasdi N, Pongprasobchai S, Manatsathit S, Higgins PD
Am J Gastroenterol 2017 Mar;112(3):415-427. Epub 2017 Jan 3 doi: 10.1038/ajg.2016.529. PMID: 28045023Free PMC Article

Recent systematic reviews

Demb J, Kolb JM, Dounel J, Fritz CDL, Advani SM, Cao Y, Coppernoll-Blach P, Dwyer AJ, Perea J, Heskett KM, Holowatyj AN, Lieu CH, Singh S, Spaander MCW, Vuik FER, Gupta S
JAMA Netw Open 2024 May 1;7(5):e2413157. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.13157. PMID: 38787555Free PMC Article
Ma F, Wu S, Li S, Zeng Z, Zhang J
Korean J Intern Med 2024 Jan;39(1):77-85. Epub 2023 Dec 8 doi: 10.3904/kjim.2023.098. PMID: 38062723Free PMC Article
Nakamura H, Lim T, Puri P
Pediatr Surg Int 2018 Feb;34(2):149-154. Epub 2017 Oct 5 doi: 10.1007/s00383-017-4182-4. PMID: 28983688
Seth A, Khan MA, Nollan R, Gupta D, Kamal S, Singh U, Kamal F, Howden CW
Am J Med Sci 2017 Mar;353(3):298-306. Epub 2016 Nov 8 doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2016.11.007. PMID: 28262219
Gan T, Liu YD, Wang Y, Yang J
Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2010 Oct 6;(10):CD006791. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006791.pub2. PMID: 20927750

Supplemental Content

Table of contents

    Clinical resources

    Practice guidelines

    • PubMed
      See practice and clinical guidelines in PubMed. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.
    • Bookshelf
      See practice and clinical guidelines in NCBI Bookshelf. The search results may include broader topics and may not capture all published guidelines. See the FAQ for details.

    Consumer resources

    Recent activity

    Your browsing activity is empty.

    Activity recording is turned off.

    Turn recording back on

    See more...