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Review
. 2019 Sep 25;54(3):141-148.
doi: 10.14744/TurkPediatriArs.2018.00483. eCollection 2019.

The importance of stool tests in diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal disorders in children

Erhun Kasırga  1
Affiliations
Review

The importance of stool tests in diagnosis and follow-up of gastrointestinal disorders in children

Erhun Kasırga. Turk Pediatri Ars. .

Abstract
in English, Turkish

Stool is not just a simple waste material. Some stool tests can be easily used in primary care in the differential diagnosis of disorders such as gastrointestinal infections, malabsorption syndromes, and inflammatory bowel diseases. Stool tests can prevent unnecessary laboratory investigations. Stool analyses include microscopic examination, chemical, immunologic, and microbiologic tests. Stool samples can be examined for leukocytes, occult blood, fat, sugars (reducing substances), pH, pancreatic enzymes, alpha-1 antitrypsin, calprotectin, and infectious causes (bacteria, viruses, and parasites). Stool should also be macroscopically checked in terms of color, consistency, quantity, shape, odor, and mucus.

Dışkı yalnızca basit bir atık değildir. Bazı dışkı testleri sindirim sistemi enfeksiyonları, malabsorpsiyon sendromları ve inflamatuvar bağırsak hastalıkları gibi hastalıkların ayırıcı tanısında birinci basamak sağlık hizmetlerinde kolaylıkla kullanılabilir. Dışkı testleri sayesinde gereksiz laboratuvar incelemeleri önlenebilir. Dışkı incelemeleri arasında mikroskobik inceleme, kimyasal, immünolojik ve mikrobiyolojik testler vardır. Dışkı örneği; lökosit, gizli kan, yağ, indirgeyici maddeler olarak adlandırılan şekerler, pH, pankreas enzimleri, alfa-1 antitripsin, kalprotektin ve enfeksiyöz nedenler (bakteri, virüs ve parazitler) açısından incelenebilir. Dışkı renk, kıvam, miktar, şekil, koku ve mukus varlığı açısından da makroskobik olarak kontrol edilmelidir.

Keywords: Children; gastrointestinal disorders; stool tests.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The author did not report any conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Stool color card used for screening biliary atresia in infants
Figure 2
Figure 2
Modified Bristol stool scale
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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