May also be called: Bloody Stool; Blood in Bowel Movement Blood in the stool means the presence of blood in a bowel movement (poop). More to Know Many things can cause blood in the stool, depending on a person's age. Pinpointing the exact source of the blood is not always easy. Treatment depends on the cause of the bleeding. Blood in the stool can range in color from bright red to black. It might only be seen in the underwear or on toilet paper when wiping. Sometimes the blood isn't visible at all, but is found when a stool sample is examined in a laboratory. Keep in Mind While finding blood in the stool can be alarming, it's actually common and usually not due to a serious condition. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Stool Test: Fecal Blood Stool samples can provide information about a problem in the GI system. To test the stool for the presence of blood, a noninvasive test - the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - is performed. Read More Stool Tests Your child's doctor may order a stool collection test to check for blood, bacteria, ova, or parasites. Find out how this test is performed and when you can expect the results. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.