When we talk about melena, we refer to the presence of blood in the stool. Bleeding is typically located in the upper part of the ‘digestive tract above the ileocecal valve and in half of the cases is associated with vomiting with blood and increased azotemia, the level of non-protein nitrogen in the blood. The signs and symptoms are different depending on the etiology.
Melena is associated with hematemesis when caused by bleeding gastric or duodenal ulcer.
In children, clinical monitoring is necessary with stabilization of the patient and remission of symptoms. Regarding instrumental monitoring, it is important to have the patient undergo periodic endoscopic checks.
Source: Mediserve‘s Medical Emergencies in Pediatrics.
