Rectal bleeding in small amounts is common. You may see red spotting on toilet paper or drops of blood in the toilet. Rectal bleeding has many possible causes, including:

• Swollen rectal veins (hemorrhoids), which can cause burning, pain, and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are usually caused by constipation and straining to have a bowel movement.
• A tear in the lining of the rectum (anal fissure), which are also often caused by constipation.
• Pouches that stick out of the wall of the rectum (diverticulosis). The pouches may bleed, or become painful and infected.
• Infection, which can cause abdominal pain, fever, and bloody diarrhea.
• Bleeding in the digestive tract (GI bleeding). Bleeding can occur anywhere in the digestive tract. The blood is digested as it moves through the digestive tract. The longer it takes the blood to move through the digestive tract, the less it will look like blood. Often blood that is caused by bleeding in the stomach will look black and tarry. Blood that has moved quickly through the digestive tract or that begins near the rectum may appear red or dark red.
• Injury to the rectal area. Damage from anal sex or having a foreign body inserted in the rectum can cause widespread infection and severe blood loss.
• Colon cancer. Rectal bleeding or spotting may be the only symptom of early colon cancer.

Rectal bleeding in children may be caused by a serious problem, such as intussusception. This occurs when the bowel twists on itself. Symptoms of rectal bleeding are present with abdominal pain and vomiting. Intussusception is a serious, life-threatening condition and requires immediate evaluation by your child's doctor.

Treatment of rectal bleeding depends on the cause. Persistent rectal bleeding of any amount may be a sign of a serious health problem and needs to be evaluated.