How to take a stool test correctly. Scraping on pinworm eggs. Rules for the delivery of feces for analysis

15.06.2019

How to prepare for a stool test? There is nothing complicated in this procedure. How to get a stool test is known to most of us.

To do this, you will need:

clean dry container;
spatula (stick).

A glass or plastic bottle (always with a lid) is suitable for collecting feces. A special sterile container is available at the pharmacy. A spatula is built into its lid for taking material, which is very convenient. For laboratory studies, 10-15 ml of feces are usually sufficient, that is, about one or two teaspoons.

Important points

How to prepare for analysis and collect material? Stick to the following rules:

The feces must be fresh.
The presence of other substances in the sample is unacceptable.
Do not overeat before donating stool.
Stop taking medication before testing.

Stick to these requirements. Compliance with simple rules will allow you to get a reliable result. Let's consider in more detail how to take a stool test correctly.

The best material is freshly harvested feces. You need to collect it in the morning. If for some reason this is not possible, then store the mass in the refrigerator until delivery, but no more than 8-12 hours.

The purity of the material taken influences the analysis result. Before collecting feces, you must first urinate and then wash with soap. The container for collecting the analysis must be dry and clean, and in some cases must be sterile. The sample is free from water and urine. It is not recommended for women to donate stool during menstruation to avoid getting blood. In extreme cases, before taking a stool test, you need to thoroughly wash yourself and use a tampon. It is best to empty your bowels in a vessel, pot, or other clean container. You can put a clean plastic bag on the toilet for this purpose.

Follow your diet before taking a stool test. Eaten food can affect the result. Therefore, before testing, try not to eat foods that cause gastrointestinal upset. Some foods can discolor the stool. For example, blueberries turn stools black and beets red. It is better to refuse to take such products.

Medicines affect test results. It is best not to use them before donating feces. Medicines containing bismuth, iron, copper, and activated carbon change the color of feces. It is undesirable to take antibiotics, as they significantly affect the vital activity of microorganisms. Discard various laxatives and rectal suppositories with a fat base before collecting a stool test. Enemas are also not recommended. People who have taken a barium drug during an X-ray contrast examination can donate feces after two days. During this time, substances containing the specified element will be excreted from the body.

How to take feces for analysis from a child

Collecting feces from adults is much easier than from children, especially from infants. Many mothers are tormented by the question of how to take a stool test. The child should be laid on an oilcloth or a clean ironed diaper. Give him a belly massage to stimulate a bowel movement.

You can turn the baby over onto its stomach. Experts do not recommend scraping feces from diapers. But if it does not work out differently, then collect only the top layer that does not come into contact with the diaper. In this case, there should be no urine in the feces. If your baby is constipated, you can have a bowel movement with a gas tube. If a child has loose stools, it will be easier to collect feces from a reusable diaper. Place the oilcloth under the baby and wait. How to properly take a stool test for a baby can be checked with a pediatrician or nurse.

It is easier to take material from older children. A pot is suitable for this. It should be washed cleanly with soap and water. It is not worth using aggressive detergents for disinfection.

Where to get a stool test

Stool tests, which do not require lengthy laboratory tests, can be taken at the clinic at the place of residence. For this, the attending physician must write out a referral. You need to take a feces analysis to the laboratory in the morning. The result will be ready within a day.

More complex analyzes, which require inoculation of microorganisms, are taken in special laboratories. There is everything you need to create certain conditions for the growth of bacteria. The results of these analyzes are usually ready in 5-7 days.

A wide variety of tests are taken in private medical centers. This is very convenient, since you can take a feces analysis for various studies in one place.

Preparing for an important process

For any stool test, follow the simple principles listed above. Consider the individual characteristics of collecting material for each type of research.

We hand over an analysis for dysbiosis

This analysis is needed to determine the intestinal microflora. The feces for such a study must be fresh, since some microorganisms may die during storage. The material is taken only in a sterile jar, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. In some laboratories, such a capacity is issued. It is easy to pass a feces analysis for dysbiosis if you adhere to the basic requirements for the collection of material. Stick to a diet and limit your medications, especially antibiotics.

Feces for occult blood analysis

To determine hidden bleeding in the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, this type of analysis is prescribed.

The presence of blood is determined by the content of hemoglobin in the stool. Before collecting a stool analysis, meat and fish dishes, as well as foods containing a large amount of iron: apples, spinach, bell peppers and others, are excluded from the menu for three days. It is unacceptable to use enemas and medications before taking the test.

How to properly collect feces for eggs of worms

Perhaps this type of research is the most common. Many people know how to properly take a feces test for eggs of worms. For this, the material must be collected in a clean, dry container with a lid. Take twice the prescribed amount of stool. It is better to collect material for analysis from different areas. Before donating feces, exclude the use of laxatives. The material can be stored for a short time in the refrigerator before delivery to the laboratory.

Stool analysis for intestinal infections

To determine various infections in the gastrointestinal tract, a stool analysis tank is prescribed. How to take it, the attending physician must explain to you. Such a study allows you to establish the causative agents of the disease, to identify various pathogenic bacteria and bacilli.

A sterile container will be required for a stool sample, as microorganisms from the external environment can interfere with the test result. Do not take antibiotics before collecting material.

Collecting feces for scatology

A coprological study allows you to check the functioning of the digestive system and assess the metabolism that occurs during digestion. It is necessary to collect material for this analysis from different sites. If mucus, fibers, heterogeneous parts are observed in the feces, take them for analysis. For the rest, adhere to the general guidelines for collecting material.

As you can see, everything is simple. It is enough just to know for which analysis it is necessary to collect feces, and to prepare correctly. In any case, your doctor should explain how to perform the necessary manipulations. If for some reason the doctor does not do this, do not hesitate, ask him yourself.

In a normal state, the body of every expectant mother undergoes a number of changes. So, for example, during pregnancy, the amount of circulating blood increases by thirty to forty percent. But the amount of blood plasma proteins during this period tends to decrease, while reducing the plasma pressure. It is this fact that causes puffiness during pregnancy. The level of white blood cells during this period is constantly increasing, and the number of platelets also increases, but only at the beginning of pregnancy. Almost all expectant mothers also have a decrease in blood pressure. This phenomenon begins to be noted already from the second trimester of pregnancy, however, closer to childbirth, the pressure begins to increase, since only in this way can the fetus be supplied with a sufficient amount of oxygen. In all pregnant women, vasodilation of the skin also occurs. During the first six months of pregnancy, blood flow to the kidney area is constantly increasing. The formation of urine is increased by fifty percent. The female body's need for energy also increases. Not surprisingly, all pregnant women eat a lot more food.

If you take into account all these changes, you can immediately understand how important it is for a pregnant woman to register on time, and also regularly pass all the necessary tests, through which it will be possible not only to track, but also to evaluate all these changes. It is about the analyzes that we will now talk about, namely about the analyzes of feces. Immediately, we note that there are plenty of laboratory studies of feces today. Let's start with a scatological study. In this case, the feces that were collected in an unsealed container immediately after the act of defecation are subjected to research. Before passing such an analysis, a pregnant woman should adhere to a special diet for four to five days. For examination, in no case should you use stool after the introduction of suppositories, enemas, the use of bismuth, iron medications or petroleum jelly. In no case should there be urine in the feces.

A so-called high-quality test for the presence of blood in the stool is also carried out for pregnant women. The fact is that feces with blood is one of the signs of intestinal bleeding, so if you suspect such bleeding, you cannot do without this analysis. Before collecting feces, a pregnant woman should not eat eggs, meat, tomatoes, fish, or any type of green vegetables for three to four days.

Stool analysis is often taken to identify the simplest. In such cases, the feces are examined in a warm form. But a scraping for the presence of pinworm eggs is taken in the morning before the woman goes to the toilet. The scraping is taken from the surface of the folds in the circumference of the anus using a wooden spatula. Sometimes scrapings are carried out under the nails. Often, pregnant women take an analysis of feces and dysbiosis. In medicine, such a study is often referred to as a biochemical analysis of the intestinal microflora. In this case, collecting feces should be in a sterile jar in the amount of two grams. It is very important to boil the jar, but in no case should it be treated with disinfectants.

A pregnant woman is regularly taken for tests and blood, urine, as well as a smear. These are all common procedures, so they shouldn't scare you.

The analysis allows you to detect:

round worms;
flukes;
tapeworms.

General rules for the delivery of feces

In order for the test results to be more reliable, you need to know how to correctly donate feces for research:

Biomaterial for analysis should be obtained as a result of a spontaneous act of defecation, that is, without the help of an enema and the use of laxatives.
It is necessary to ensure that urine, discharge from the genitals, and menstrual blood do not get into the sample under study.
An analysis of worm eggs is not carried out in patients with bleeding, suffering from hemorrhoids, cracks in the anus, gum pathologies, accompanied by bleeding.

It is advisable that bowel movements take place on the day of delivery of the material. It is best if the sample is handed over a maximum of 30-45 minutes after a bowel movement. It is allowed to collect feces the night before or the day before analysis. In this case, a sample of the material is stored at a temperature of 4-5 degrees. Freezing it is not allowed.

Important! The longer the biomaterial is stored, the less reliable the results will be.

2 days before the study, you should not eat foods that increase gas formation and cause loose stools or constipation, as well as staining feces, for example, beets.

When it is possible to refuse to take certain pharmaceuticals that change the color of feces (activated carbon, bismuth and iron preparations), their composition (rectal suppositories) or acting on peristalsis (pilocarpine).

Important! After X-ray diagnostics of the gastrointestinal tract and the delivery of feces for research, at least 2 days should pass.

How to pass to an adult

The analysis can be assigned to both children and adults. At the same time, there are no differences in how to collect and hand over biomaterial. The stool is collected in a clean, dry glass or plastic container. The best option is a disposable container with a screw cap and spatula.

It can be purchased at the pharmacy. Feces for research are taken from several places of a single portion (from above, from the sides and from the inside) in the amount of 1 teaspoon.
If the feces are collected from the toilet, then it is better to cover it with cellophane and collect the material from the polyethylene.
On the dishes, you need to write the patient's surname and initials, his date of birth and the time of collection of the biomaterial.

During pregnancy

Pregnant women are prescribed to donate feces for worm eggs for a period of 7-11 weeks. In pregnant women, helminths are often secreted spontaneously. They also need to be handed over to a laboratory for analysis along with a feces sample.

How to collect feces and get tested for a child

If the baby is 1 year old or younger, the easiest way is to collect the stool from the diaper. Pediatricians advise using a homemade diaper from a diaper.

It is unlikely that it will be possible to wash the baby before the act of defecation, since it is not known when the child goes to the toilet, so it will be enough to carry out the usual daily hygiene procedures.

What to do if a baby does not have a chair

If the infant does not have a stool, the anus can be stimulated. To do this, you need vaseline oil and a gas pipe.

Lay an oilcloth on the bed, put the baby on it, on his back or on his right side, and his legs should be bent at the knees. Lubricate the end of the gas outlet tube with vaseline oil and insert a maximum of 1 cm into the child's anus. After about three minutes, the baby goes to the toilet. If this does not happen, massage the baby's tummy clockwise. Reinsert the flue gas tube after 20 minutes.

A mercury thermometer can be used to stimulate the anus. Its tip needs to be held clockwise several times near the anus. You can grease the tip of the thermometer with vaseline or boiled vegetable oil and insert it into the baby's anus by 1 cm.It is better to use a regular mercury thermometer, since, as a rule, no effect is observed from an electronic one.

When the child is older and goes to the toilet, feces are collected from the pot on their own. In this case, urine should not get into the studied biomaterial.

Important! When collecting feces from a pot, wash it with baby soap and rinse thoroughly. Do not wash the pot with disinfectants. You can cover the pot with cling film or a plastic bag and collect feces from them.

How much analysis is done

How much analysis is prepared depends on the laboratory, in some the analysis time is 1 day and the result is ready already on another day, and in some the results will be known only after 6 working days.

Many do not know where to get tested for helminths? You can take the analysis at the clinic at your place of residence, or at an independent medical laboratory, for example, Invitro.

Normally, the result should be negative, that is, helminth eggs should not be detected in the test sample. In the case of a positive result, the analysis form indicates which type of helminths was detected.

When taking the analysis, you need to take into account one point that helminths lay eggs and reproduce not every day, but at a certain time. Therefore, it is advisable to take feces 3 times with an interval of 2 days. Only in the case of a negative threefold result can we talk about the absence of helminths in the body.

Types of tests for worms

In addition to the delivery of feces to worm eggs, there are more effective tests that allow you to detect helminths in the body, for example, scraping for enterobiasis. It allows you to detect pinworm eggs in 50% of the infected, while the usual analysis of feces reveals helminthiasis in only 10-15% of patients.

To obtain reliable results, the scraping must be repeated at intervals of a couple of days. Before passing the analysis, you do not need to wash the anorectal area and empty the intestines, then the results will be more accurate.

The biomaterial is taken in the morning, immediately after waking up. Scraping can be done in a medical facility with the help of medical staff or on your own. To do this, you need either a special container with a cotton swab or a glass slide with tape.

Open the container, take out a cotton swab.
Spread your buttocks apart, run the stick around the anus and place it back into the tube.

Biomaterial sampling on a glass slide:

Peel off the tape from the slide, spread the buttocks, stick the adhesive tape on the skin around the anus for 2 seconds.
Then stick it on the glass again in the same place. Make sure that the sticky side of the tape does not touch foreign objects.

In the venous blood, immunoglobulins and antigens to worms are detected. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay allows detecting helminth infections at the initial stages. Depending on the type of worms, the test results are ready in 1-7 days.

In the acute course of helminthiasis, other methods can be used:

endoscopic diagnostics and biopsy;
computed tomography;
X-ray of visceral organs;
latex agglutination reaction;
Coombs' method;
passive hemagglutination reaction.

Each study is assigned individually, depending on the clinical picture of the disease.

Often, despite the obvious need for medical supervision, the volume and frequency of the recommended examinations during pregnancy sometimes cause confusion in women. Why, for example, take a complete blood count during pregnancy every month? There is a generally accepted, or basic, plan for examining a pregnant woman. The pregnancy management plan includes early (up to 12 weeks) registration, careful collection of anamnesis (health information), regular medical supervision and a certain range of laboratory and instrumental studies. This follow-up plan has been developed based on clinical research and medical statistics. Studies have shown that when monitoring the development of pregnancy with the listed examinations at a certain time, the risk of developing complications of pregnancy decreases 2.3 times, and the risk of developing fetal pathologies - more than five times! The plan was approved by the Ministry of Health and recommended to doctors of antenatal clinics and family planning centers in the management of pregnancy. The analyzes and studies indicated in the plan are basic and necessary for all expectant mothers.

So, what will the tests show during pregnancy, when is it better to carry out them and how to properly prepare for them?

1.Clinical (general) blood test during pregnancy: from the beginning of pregnancy to the 30th week - once a month, from the 30th week to delivery - once every two weeks. Allows you to timely identify anemia (lack of hemoglobin - an oxygen carrier, leading to oxygen starvation of the fetus), inflammatory processes of any localization, immune reactions to the fetus, changes in blood viscosity. Typically, capillary blood is taken from a finger for examination. In this case, the puncture is made with a special tool - a disposable spear. True, in recent years, modern devices, popularly called "pistols", have been increasingly used. It is very important that the blood flows from the wound on its own or only with slight squeezing.

Preparation. A blood test is recommended on an empty stomach, and repeated blood tests during pregnancy should preferably be done at the same hours, since the morphological composition of the blood can fluctuate throughout the day. You should not donate blood for analysis after exercise, physiotherapy, X-ray examination, intravenous drug administration.

2.General analysis of urine during pregnancy: from the beginning of pregnancy to the 30th week - monthly, then every two weeks. Helps to exclude diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, toxicosis and gestosis of pregnant women, diabetes, general inflammatory processes.

Preparation. In order to be able to correctly evaluate the results of urine analysis during pregnancy and to exclude the possibility of error, it is very important to know how to prepare for the analysis. In the morning on the day appointed for the analysis, before going to the toilet, you need to wash especially carefully and insert a tampon into the vagina. When collecting urine for analysis, use only the middle portion. Such precautions are taken so that the contents of the genital tract do not get into the jar along with urine; this is what can cause a misdiagnosis.

3.Biochemical blood test during pregnancy: determined when registering for pregnancy and at 36–37 weeks. With the help of this blood test during pregnancy, it is possible to assess the effectiveness of the metabolism in the body of the expectant mother, on which the course of pregnancy and the correct development of the baby depend. The general human metabolism includes the exchange of proteins, pigments, fats, carbohydrates and minerals - substances necessary for our life. A change in metabolic indicators can signal a malfunction in the work of one or another organ. For analysis, blood is taken from a vein.

Preparation. A biochemical blood test is taken in the morning on an empty stomach. The day before, foods with a high sugar content are excluded from the menu: grapes, cakes, high-calorie buns, cakes, etc.; in the evening (no later than 19 hours) a light dinner is allowed.

4.Smear on flora from the vagina during pregnancy taken upon registration and at 36–37 weeks. This analysis during pregnancy is prescribed to detect infectious and nonspecific diseases of the genital tract. The method of taking material for research will create no more discomfort for you than a regular examination on a gynecological chair. During the examination, the doctor will carefully take material from the urethra (urethra) with one end with a special tiny spoon, then with the other end - from the cervical canal (cervical), and finally - after obstetric manual examination of the vagina, he will collect the discharge in the posterior fornix of the vagina. In the laboratory, glasses are stained with various dyes and examined under a microscope.

Preparation. The day before, you must adhere to the usual hygienic rules, and on the day of the study, you will be asked to refrain from deep washing (so as not to wash off the study material!), Limiting yourself to a regular shower. There are no dietary restrictions. But if you suspect some infections, you will be asked to follow a "provocative diet": more salty, smoked, spicy. Such food provokes abundant vaginal discharge, which contributes to a more accurate diagnosis.

5.Coagulogram during pregnancy(study of the blood coagulation and anticoagulation system) - at 36–37 weeks. An increase in blood viscosity leads to disruption of placental blood flow, thrombosis of small vessels; thinning the blood increases the risk of bleeding during pregnancy and childbirth. Typically, this test is administered once. However, if doctors have special reasons for concern, a hemostasiogram during pregnancy - another name for this analysis - can be prescribed earlier, at the very beginning of pregnancy, and carried out as often as necessary. The reason for an earlier or more frequent study of hemostasis during pregnancy can be bloody intimate discharge from the expectant mother, unreasonable bruising on the skin, enlargement and inflammation of the veins, as well as impaired blood flow in the placenta according to ultrasound data, poor data from previous hemostasiograms, control in the process treatment of blood clotting disorders. Blood is taken from a vein, preferably in the morning (this increases the reliability of the result).

Preparation. The analysis is carried out exclusively on an empty stomach - at least 12 hours after the last meal. The day before the analysis, it is recommended to exclude physical activity, stress, alcohol and nicotine (the last two factors, of course, should be excluded in principle for the entire period of pregnancy).

6.Analysis for the detection of HIV, syphilis and hepatitis virus- upon registration, at 30 weeks of pregnancy, 38 weeks of pregnancy and upon admission to the hospital. Diseases can be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or during childbirth. Timely diagnosis and preventive (preventive) treatment protects the baby from illness and helps the mother to endure pregnancy.

Preparation. Blood for this analysis is also donated on an empty stomach, more precisely, no less than 8 hours after the last meal. On the eve, it is recommended to exclude fatty and fried foods, and replace the usual drinks with drinking non-carbonated water. You should also exclude physical and psycho-emotional stress in a day, and alcohol, even in small doses, in three days.

7.Determination of blood group and Rh-affiliation- upon registration and upon admission to the hospital (to eliminate the likelihood of an error). Knowledge of these specific properties of blood is necessary in an emergency (for example, in case of bleeding) - to maintain compatibility with transfusion of blood and its components. In addition, the timely detection of a negative Rh factor in the expectant mother and further monitoring of the amount of antibodies in her blood can prevent such a dangerous complication of pregnancy as the Rh conflict between mother and fetus.

Preparation. Special preparation for this analysis is not required, however, doctors recommend, if possible, to take the analysis in the first half of the day, at rest and after 4 hours from the last meal.

Preparation. Two days before the analysis of feces during pregnancy, you should stop taking medications that affect the digestive function, as well as products containing iron, bismuth, barium and food colors. Before the study, you can not do an enema and take laxatives, use rectal suppositories or ointments.

9.Electrocardiogram- at 36–37 weeks of gestation. The study allows you to evaluate the work of the cardiovascular system of the expectant mother, to identify violations of the heart rhythm, heart defects.

Preparation. The study is carried out in the supine position, at rest; on the eve, it is necessary to exclude any stress and stress. If the expectant mother is taking nifedipine, "Ginipral", or other drugs that affect the heart rate, it is necessary to inform the doctor about this.

10 ultrasound during pregnancy- when registering for up to 12 weeks (confirmation of the fact of pregnancy, exclusion of pathology of the location and attachment of the fetus), at 18-24 weeks (exclusion of pathology of the development of the fetus and placenta) and after 32 weeks (determination of the physical parameters and location of the fetus).

Preparation. It is advisable to empty the intestines before the examination - this will allow the doctor to better examine the pelvic organs. A couple of days before the scheduled ultrasound scan during pregnancy, you should refrain from cabbage, legumes, grapes, black bread, nuts, seeds and carbonated drinks. To increase the information content of an ultrasound scan carried out for a period of up to 10 weeks, half an hour before the start, you can drink 300-500 ml of drinking water without gas.

11.Dopplerometry during pregnancy(study of placental blood flow) - in parallel with the third ultrasound. Allows you to identify the deterioration of blood supply, growth and respiration of the fetus.

Preparation. Not required.

12.Cardiotocography- a method used to assess the condition of the fetus and the tone of the uterus. The study is carried out after the 32nd week.

Preparation. Not required.

In recent years, an analysis for sexually transmitted infections (carried out at registration) and a screening test for identifying fetal pathologies (16-18 weeks of pregnancy) have been added to the recommended studies. These studies also do not require special preparation.

In addition to general studies, there are specific tests during pregnancy, prescribed in special cases, according to indications. For example, some data from an external examination force the doctor to examine the hormonal background of a pregnant woman. Changes in the heartbeat and motor activity of the fetus at certain stages of pregnancy may become an indication for the study of blood viscosity. The significant age of the future parents or the presence of genetic abnormalities in relatives is conducive to a genetic examination. The presence of chronic diseases, for example, diseases of the heart and blood vessels, kidneys, is a reason for an extended examination of the function of these organs and carrying out specific tests.

The timing and frequency of the "basic" set of additional studies, such as general blood and urine analysis, vaginal smear, ultrasound and CTG, are also quite individual and may vary. An increase in the frequency of routine studies or a change in the timing of their conduct depends on the characteristics of the course of pregnancy in a particular patient. For example, if you suspect gestosis (late toxicosis, manifested by edema, high blood pressure and the appearance of protein in the urine), urine analysis is prescribed up to three times in a row with an interval of several days - to eliminate errors and determine the stage of the process. In case of violations of placental blood flow, ultrasound and dopplerometry (control of blood circulation in the placenta) can be performed every week, and CTG (registration of the fetal heartbeat) up to twice a day.

Deterioration in general health - for example, a viral infection or exacerbation of a chronic illness - is also a reason for additional examination. Indeed, the state and development of the fetus directly depends on the health of the mother. Against the background of a general inflammatory process, blood viscosity may increase, vascular tone increases, and edema increases. Such changes lead to a deterioration in the blood supply to the fetus and can adversely affect the course of pregnancy. In addition, viruses are able to penetrate the placental barrier. When viruses enter the placental bloodstream, there is a risk of inflammation of the placenta, membranes and even infection of the fetus. Additional examination helps the doctor to identify the problem in time and prevent its development.

Tests during pregnancy: for greater reliability

To obtain an optimal and reliable examination result, the expectant mother must observe the following rules:

you need to undergo examinations not selectively, but in full;
the timing of the studies recommended by the doctor should be strictly observed;
you need to immediately inform the doctor about changes in general health, colds or exacerbation of chronic diseases; firstly, in these cases, an unscheduled and additional examination is necessary, and secondly, your complaints and symptoms will help the doctor correctly assess the result;
it is advisable to be examined in one clinic; firstly, different laboratories may differ in the reagents used, the resolution of the apparatus and the units of measurement; secondly, it is more convenient for the diagnostician to compare the results with their previous studies;
specialists in additional diagnostic methods (doctors of ultrasound, CTG, ECG, etc.), as well as laboratory doctors, do not make a diagnosis; they can only describe the results of the research and make a medical opinion, on the basis of which the attending physician, taking into account the data of the examination, previous tests and symptoms, makes a diagnosis;
one and the same person should prescribe and evaluate the results of all studies - your attending physician; it is advisable not to change the obstetrician-gynecologist during the period of pregnancy: the doctor who observed you from the very beginning has the opportunity to more objectively assess the dynamics of the development of pregnancy;
and, finally, most importantly, it is important to strictly follow the recommendations for preparing for analyzes; otherwise, the test result may be unreliable.

How to get tested for feces correctly? Features of the collection of feces in children and adults. What do the test results show? The article will cover these issues in detail.

Stool laboratory examination is an important step in the correct diagnosis of the disease. Deciphering the analysis of fecal masses often helps the doctor to confirm the alleged diagnosis and choose the optimal course of treatment for the patient.

Feces are the end product of the breakdown of food as a result of the biochemical processes of the gastrointestinal tract. The study of excrement makes it possible to identify pathological foci along the entire length of the digestive tract, from the stomach to the rectum.

Stool analysis is prescribed in the following cases:

Before laboratory examination of feces, the following recommendations should be adhered to:

Feces are collected in a clean and dry container after spontaneous bowel movements
Feces must be sent for laboratory research within 12 hours after bowel movement in order to avoid distorting the analysis results.
It is not recommended to use feces for analysis after an enema and the use of suppositories, as well as after taking a number of medications containing iron, bismuth, barium
On the eve of laboratory tests, you should eat, adhering to a balanced content of carbohydrates, fats and proteins to obtain reliable results.
For the reliability of the analysis, impurities of water and urine in the feces are unacceptable

IMPORTANT: During menstruation, women should refrain from donating feces for analysis, so as not to distort the results.

Features of collecting feces for infants and older babies

In infants, feces are placed in a special container from a disposable diaper or diaper after a bowel movement. Feces are collected from the surface of the absorbent material, without scraping it from the depths
If the baby has loose stools, you can try to collect the feces from the oilcloth, waiting for the baby to empty
You should not forcefully feed the baby before taking the test and force him to empty. Feces can be collected the day before, observing the usual routine of the child's day. The only requirement is to store it in a well-closed container in the refrigerator
For older children, you can collect feces from the pot, after washing it with soda or neutral soap (baby). Then rinse the pot with running water and dry well. Do not use synthetic detergents and detergents on the pot.

How much feces do you need to analyze an adult and a child?

For the study of feces, it is required to fill the container for collecting the analysis by 1/3 of the volume. This is approximately 10 g of feces or 2 teaspoons for adults and toddlers after a year.

For babies and children under 12 months, it is enough to collect about 5 g of stool (1 teaspoon).

How to take a stool test during pregnancy?

An analysis of feces for the detection of helminths is mandatory when registering a pregnant woman with an antenatal clinic. The doctor with the issuance of a referral for the delivery of an analysis should advise the expectant mother on how to properly prepare and collect a feces analysis.

The requirements for the collection of feces for pregnant women are the same as for other categories of patients and are detailed above.

IMPORTANT: Pregnant women should not ignore the delivery of a stool test. Pathologies detected in time and their cure will help to get out of pregnancy easier and give birth to a healthy baby.

What to take a stool test: a jar for stool tests

Modern requirements for the delivery of feces analyzes are to collect feces in a special plastic sterile container with a sealed lid. Such containers can be purchased in the pharmacy network from different manufacturers at an affordable price.

Some laboratories will accept small volumes of stool in glass containers, provided that the container is clean and dry. It should be borne in mind that special containers for collecting feces ensure the maximum safety of feces, and therefore a more reliable result.

IMPORTANT: Do not confuse urine collection containers with stool containers. The latter have a special spatula for the convenience of collecting feces.

Is it possible to collect a stool analysis in the evening?

The ideal biomaterial for laboratory testing is freshly collected morning feces delivered to the laboratory within three hours of collection.

As a rule, it is not always possible to collect feces in the morning, especially for babies and older children.

Therefore, it is permissible to collect feces the night before, provided it is stored correctly. It is best to place the container in a cool place, such as a refrigerator, and take it to the laboratory in the morning.

How much stool can be stored in the refrigerator for analysis?

It is allowed to store the collected feces in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours at a temperature of 4-8 degrees. Stool should be stored in a special plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Freezing of feces and keeping it on the shelf from the side of the refrigerator door is unacceptable. It is best to keep the container on the middle shelf.

General analysis of feces - decoding, norm

Coprogram or general analysis of feces is an important non-invasive laboratory method of examination in gastroenterology, which allows you to reliably study the gastrointestinal tract, detect pathological areas of the digestive system in time and choose the correct path of treatment.

IMPORTANT: Coprological examination of feces is a necessary tool for making a reliable diagnosis, so you should not refuse to carry out this analysis if it was prescribed by a doctor.

A detailed transcript of the general analysis of feces is set out in the article below.

Biochemical and bacteriological analysis of feces for dysbiosis - decoding, norm

Dysbiosis or intestinal dysbiosis occurs due to changes in the quantitative and qualitative ratio of the flora inhabiting the human body due to any unfavorable factors.

The microbiological imbalance of the intestine can be determined by examining feces for flora and identifying pathogenic microorganisms in it. The analysis of feces for dysbiosis is carried out in the following cases:

long-term intractable intestinal disorders
after treatment of intestinal infections (salmonellosis, shigellosis, etc.) and long-term antibiotic therapy
allergic processes
immunodeficiency states

For children of the first year of life, feces are examined for dysbiosis with the following indications:

intrauterine intoxication
artificial feeding after birth
breast milk intolerance
frequent colds
disproportionate weight gain
stomatitis, thrush

Three before the delivery of feces for dysbiosis, you should refrain from taking antibiotic drugs, alcohol and spicy foods
For analysis, it is enough to collect about 2 g of feces (half a teaspoon)
Feces for this analysis should be freshly collected and delivered to the laboratory in a sterile container within 2-4 hours using a refrigerant at a temperature of 2-8 degrees
Microbiological examination of feces is carried out after sowing the biological material under study on a nutrient medium and further thermostating it.
With the help of biochemical and microbiological examination of feces for dysbiosis, it is possible to identify the quantitative and qualitative composition of microorganisms inhabiting the patient's intestines, compare them with reference (normal) indicators, and also identify unacceptable pathogenic flora: salmonella, shigella, persinia, etc.

The absence or insufficient amount of beneficial intestinal flora (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, E. coli) can indicate dysbiosis and the appointment of appropriate treatment.

Study of feces for dysbiosis, video

Stool analysis for coprogram - decoding, norm

Coprogram is a method of laboratory examination of feces, which helps to identify problems in the work of the gastrointestinal tract. The analysis results reveal:

Scatological analysis includes three stages of the study of feces:

macroscopic
chemical
microscopic

Macro research

Quantity Feces with a balanced diet is 100-200 g. The use of plant foods increases the amount of feces, and an excess of meat food, with a high protein content, reduces the volume of bowel movements. The norm of feces of an infant is on average 70-90 grams
The form feces normally have a cylindrical design
Consistency feces are determined by the foods used. According to the reference indicators, the feces have a formalized structure, soft and uniform. Infants, on the other hand, have loose, sticky, loose bowel movements. The amount of water, mucus and fat affects the density of the stool
Colour human feces forms a bile pigment - stercobilin, which gives the feces a brown tint

IMPORTANT: Eaten foods affect the color of feces. Food containing coloring pigments can discolor the stool. It should be remembered that iron-containing drugs, activated charcoal, beets, the dominance of dairy or meat products in the diet can affect the color of feces during the analysis.

Smell excrements are given by protein food, namely, the components of its breakdown: indole, skatole, phenol
Pus, mucus, blood: the detection of these components can serve as a signal of serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

Chemical analysis

Stool reaction (pH) is normally neutral or slightly alkaline (6.8-7.6). In infants, an acidic reaction is inherent in feces due to the peculiarities of nutrition during this age period. Discrepancies in pH with reference norms mean pathological changes in digestion associated with diseases of the stomach and individual segments of the intestine.
Squirrels should not be detected in feces according to standard indicators
Hidden blood, identified in feces, serves as a marker for internal bleeding and pathological processes of the digestive tract
Bile pigments(bilirubin, stercobilin) are important indicators of the chemical study of feces for the diagnosis of many diseases: hepatitis, inflammation of the bile ducts, acute pancreatitis. These pathologies are often associated with a loss of color in feces due to a decrease in the amount of stercobilin.

IMPORTANT: A small amount of bilirubin is allowed in the feces of newborns. At about 9 months of age, this pigment disappears from the baby's stool.

Microsurvey

Analysis of feces under a microscope makes it possible to detail the diagnosis of the disease at the micro level.

Detritus- amorphous particles of digested food with remnants of epithelial and bacterial cells. Detection of detritus during examination is considered the norm, which indicates healthy digestion.
Muscle fibers, elements of connective tissue and intestinal mucosa shell(leukocytes, epithelial cells, erythrocytes, eosinophils). The detection of these components may indicate various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

IMPORTANT: Normally, leukocytes should be absent in feces. A large number of white blood cells in the absence of mucus should alert specialists to a possible pararectal abscess in the rectal wall.

Digested fiber, starch and iodophilic flora acceptable in small volumes. A clear accumulation of these components indicates various pathologies throughout the gastrointestinal tract.
Neutral fat, fatty acids and their salts often found in stool. Traces of fatty components are permissible, but their noticeable amounts indicate insufficient bile secretion, weak contraction of the small intestine, pathology of the pancreas

IMPORTANT: In the feces of babies feeding on breast milk, the presence of neutral fat in the form of small droplets is permissible.
IMPORTANT: The feces of adults should not contain calcium oxalate crystals according to standard indicators. In infants, an insignificant amount of these formations in the feces is allowed.

Coprogram reference table

Index	Reference values
Consistency	Dense, shaped, hard, soft
The form	Decorated, cylindrical
Smell	Fecal, sour
Colour	Light brown, brown, dark brown, yellow, yellow-green, olive
Reaction	Neutral, slightly acidic
Blood
Slime
Leftover undigested food	Absent
Muscle fibers altered	Large, moderate, small, absent
Muscle fibers unchanged	Absent
Detritus	None, small, moderate, large
Digested vegetable fiber	None, small amount
Fat neutral	Absent
Fatty acid
Soap	None, small amount
Intracellular starch	Absent
Extracellular starch	Absent
Erythrocytes
Crystals
Iodophilic flora	Absent
Clostridia	None, small amount
Yeast-like mushrooms	Absent

Analysis of feces for occult blood - decoding, norm

Invisible bleeding of internal organs is a great danger to human life. Timely detected bleeding of the stomach or individual segments of the intestinal tract makes it possible to avoid severe consequences due to blood loss, make a reliable diagnosis and prescribe adequate treatment
The essence of laboratory research is to identify abnormal hemoglobin with destroyed red blood cells in the lower segments of the intestine. The scientific terminology of the research is called benzidine breakdown or Gregersen's method
The analysis is so sensitive and accurate that it makes it possible to detect even small amounts of hemoglobin contained in the meat eaten by the patient on the eve of the examination

Therefore, before performing an occult blood test, you should undergo special training. A week before the study, the use of iron-containing drugs, hematogen, preparations containing bismuth and laxatives is prohibited
3 days before the analysis, it is recommended to follow a diet that does not contain products with blood components: animal and poultry meat, fish, offal (liver, kidneys, heart, lung). You should also refrain from eating apples, spinach and beans.

IMPORTANT: On the eve of the occult blood test, you should not carry out such studies and procedures as fibrogastroscopy, irrigoscopy, etc., associated with the possibility of damaging the mucous membrane and causing even minor damage with bleeding. It is not even recommended to brush your teeth to avoid bleeding gums.

Analysis of feces for eggs of worms, helminths - decoding, norm

Identification of helminths, their eggs and waste products is an important task to preserve the health of babies and adults.

The analysis of feces allows you to identify groups of helminths, which, according to the norm, should be absent in the human body:

roundworms or nematodes: roundworm, duodenal crooked head, whipworm, etc.
flukes or nematodes: paradoxical leukochloridium, feline and hepatic fluke, schistosoma
tapeworms or cestodes: broad tapeworm, bovine and pork tapeworm

Analysis of feces for carbohydrates in infants - decoding, norm

This study is often prescribed for babies with poor digestion, frequent regurgitation, poor weight gain, diarrhea, colic, and vomiting. The analysis reveals lactase deficiency and other abnormal processes in the assimilation and breakdown of carbohydrates in the baby. The scientific name of laboratory research for carbohydrates is called Benedict's method
A small volume of stool (at least 5 grams) should be determined in the laboratory within 4 hours after collection in a special container for collecting analysis
Normally, the carbohydrate indicator should be within the range: 0-0.25% for babies up to a year
Results exceeding 0.25% are considered deviations from small: 0.3-0.5% to medium: 0.6-1%. A significant deviation from the reference indicators is considered to be an indicator above 1%.

Hand hygiene - prevention of infantile worm infestation

Stool analysis and scraping for enterobiasis - decoding, norm

Pinworm infection or - the most common helminthic disease among children.

The analysis for enterobiasis is carried out by the method of examining the feces and by scraping.

A swab or scraping is performed in the morning after waking up. Do not wash or wash the anus and adjacent skin folds to avoid distorting the analysis results. Scraping after bowel movements is not recommended.

How to make scraping for enterobiasis using scotch tape

Take scotch tape about 2 cm wide and cut off a tape 5-6 cm long from it
With the sticky side of the tape, press the tape to the skin surface near the anus. Repeat the application several times with the same side of the tape
Stick the adhesive tape with the sticky side to the surface of the slide
Take the collected scrapings to the laboratory within 2 hours

How to make scraping for enterobiasis with a cotton swab

Moisten an ordinary cotton swab with one of the solvents: water, saline (0.9% sodium chloride solution), glycerin or petroleum jelly
Run a stick around the anus, spreading the buttocks
Place the biomaterial stick in a clean and dry container (you can use a urine container)
Take the collected smear to the laboratory as soon as possible

Pinworms and their eggs should be absent from a healthy person according to standard indicators.

Stool analysis for protozoa

If an infection with protozoa is suspected (dysentery amoeba, balantidia), the patient is given a referral for the study of feces.

For research, feces are taken with delivery to the laboratory in the near future.

Normally, these types of protozoa should be absent.

Stool analysis for Helicobacter pylori

The analysis of feces for the presence of the pathogen Helicobacter pylori is auxiliary. It is prescribed to clarify the diagnosis if there is a suspicion of the presence of this spiral-shaped bacteria in the body.

The analysis is carried out no earlier than 30 days after the course of antibiotic therapy.

Stool analysis for dysentery

This type of stool analysis is carried out in case of suspicion of dysentery, which is caused by microorganisms from the detachment. shigella... Collecting feces does not require special recommendations. Stool examination for dysentery is carried out within 5 days.

Analysis of feces for pancreatic elastase - transcript, norm

The performance of the pancreas will be helped by an analysis of feces for pancreatic elastase. The study is carried out if you suspect:

for Crohn's disease and cystic fibrosis, in children with impaired digestion
pancreatitis
diabetes
pancreatic neoplasms

Pancreatic elastase is an enzyme of the pancreas that breaks down dietary protein and is excreted in the feces unchanged, passing through the entire digestive tract.

The norm is considered to be an indicator - 200-500 mg of elastase in 1 g of feces. A shift in the indicator in one direction or another indicates a malfunction in the pancreas.

Stool analysis for UPF (conditionally pathogenic flora) - salmonellosis

Salmonellosis is a severe toxic-infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract. The smallest gram-negative rods actively move through the flagella and are transmitted through animal products (eggs, milk, meat, sausage products).

Identifying the pathogen is important in making the correct diagnosis and prescribing the correct treatment.

IMPORTANT: Feces should be collected for analysis before starting antibiotic treatment, so as not to hide the true picture of the disease.

Stool analysis for sensitivity to antibiotics - decoding, norm

Bacteriological culture of feces for sensitivity to antibiotics helps the attending physician to correctly prescribe antibiotic treatment for certain types of pathogens of intestinal infections.

Identification of intestinal flora, opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms, deviations from reference indicators, monitoring the effective action of prescribed antibacterial drugs are important links in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections.

The normative indicators of flora for bacterial sowing are indicated in the following table

	Children under 1 year old	Older children	Adults
Bifidobacteria	10 10 –10 11	10 9 –10 10	10 8 –10 10
Lactobacillus	10 6 –10 7	10 7 –10 8	10 6 –10 8
Esherichia	10 6 –10 7	10 7 –10 8	10 6 –10 8
Bacteroids	10 7 –10 8	10 7 –10 8	10 7 –10 8
Peptostreptococci	10 3 –10 5	10 5 –10 6	10 5 –10 6
Enterococci	10 5 –10 7	10 5 –10 8	10 5 –10 8
Saprophytic staphylococci	≤10 4	≤10 4	≤10 4
Pathogenic staphylococci	absent	absent	absent
Clostridia	≤10 3	≤10 5	≤10 5
Candida	≤10 3	≤10 4	≤10 4
Pathogenic enterobacteria	absent	absent	absent

Analysis of feces for allergens - decoding, norm

Coprogram is an important factor in the diagnosis of allergic diseases. This is especially true for babies. At the first signs of allergic manifestations from the first days of a child's life, you should consult a specialized specialist.

A general analysis of feces, a study of feces for carbohydrates and dysbiosis are additional diagnostic methods in establishing allergies. Laboratory examination of feces in identifying allergic processes becomes more informative after the child reaches 5-6 months.

Stool analysis for rotavirus - decoding, norm

"Intestinal flu" or rotavirus infection is a fairly common disease with a high degree of contagion and severe complications. The disease can be caught by airborne droplets, through water, dirty hands, vegetables, fruits
Symptoms of the disease are similar to many diseases: high fever, frequent and loose stools, nausea, vomiting. To identify the pathogen and prescribe the correct and immediate drug treatment, a diagnostic study of feces should be carried out
Biomaterial (feces) is collected according to general requirements and examined for the presence of rotaviruses and adenoviruses

Very often, for various reasons, there is an imbalance in the intestinal microflora. Long-term treatment with antimicrobial drugs, weakening of the immune system, unhealthy diet and many other factors lead to an imbalance in the intestinal flora and an increase in the proportion of opportunistic microorganisms.

Detection of yeast fungi of the genus Candida in feces higher than the reference values (> 10 4) may indicate developed intestinal candidiasis and the appointment of immediate treatment.

Undigested starch grains in feces under a microscope

What does starch mean in feces analysis?

The study of the coprogram contains the identification of intracellular and extracellular starch. According to reference values, starch should not be present in feces
The presence of intracellular starch indicates insufficient digestive function and possible processes of putrefaction and fermentation in the intestine. According to physiological norms, the cell membranes should be destroyed under the influence of digestive enzymes, and their contents should be completely broken down and absorbed
Extracellular starch in feces is undigested starch grains from damaged plant cells. Undigested starch may indicate a low function of the amylase enzyme or accelerated evacuation of food through the intestinal tract.

What does citrobacter mean in stool analysis?

The anaerobic bacterium citrobacter of the enterobacteriaceae family is part of the opportunistic human flora. Exceeding the reference parameters of the pathogen indicates dysbiosis with possible serious infectious intoxication of the body, requiring immediate drug treatment
Citrobacter is the most common causative agent of nosocomial angiogenic infections and urinary tract infections. This tiny microbe is capable of causing outbreaks of purulent infections, gastroenteritis, toxicoinfections, mass poisoning in hospitals and child care facilities.
Citrobacter is detected by sowing feces for dysbiosis in a combined study for the presence of opportunistic enterobacteriaceae: enterobacter, Klebsiella, Morganella, Proteus, etc. The reference norm of these microorganisms should not exceed 10 4 per 1 g of feces