Why Does My Child Have Clay White Stool?

Clay or pale white stools in children result from the lack of bile in the digestive tract. The liver produces bile to help break down fat in digested food, and bile colors stool brown. Inflammation of the liver and blockage of the biliary duct prevent bile from entering the digestive tract and cause pale stools in children.

Causes of Inflammation

• Infectious diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis can irritate a child's liver, reducing bile production. Excessive ingestion of certain chemicals can also harm the liver, halt bile production and cause pale stools.

Causes of Blockage

• Stones in the biliary duct and cancer of the liver, pancreas or biliary duct can block bile from entering a child's digestive system. The lining of the biliary duct can also narrow over time.

Additional Symptoms

• A child with pale stools combined with fever, jaundice (yellowed skin and eyes), cola-colored urine, weight loss or abdominal pain usually suffers from a problem with the liver, pancreas or bile duct.

Pale Stools in Infants

• Babies born with a blockage in their bile ducts--a condition called biliary atresia--will have pale stools, as well as yellowed skin and weight loss. Symptoms usually show up within the first six weeks of life.

Considerations

• Because of the many possible causes of pale stools in a child, as well as the serious complications that could result, seeking the advice of a physician is important. Tests can determine the exact cause and identify the proper treatment.