What is the characteristic feature of currant jelly stool?

Currant jelly stool is characterized by a red and purple coloring, which resembles the appearance of currant jelly. This specific coloration often indicates the presence of digested blood mixed with mucus, typically resulting from a gastrointestinal issue such as intussusception or a severe case of mesenteric ischemia. The dark red or purplish hue is primarily due to the breakdown of hemoglobin from blood, making it a notable diagnostic indicator of underlying conditions that lead to the bleeding in the intestines.

While bright red blood in stool might suggest active bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract, it does not have the viscous, jelly-like consistency that defines currant jelly stool. The combination of mucus with partially digested blood is what creates that characteristic appearance, rather than just the presence of red blood. Similarly, a mucus-like consistency alone does not encompass the full visual impact associated with this stool type. The presence of undigested food speaks to other forms of gastrointestinal distress, such as malabsorption, which differs from the implications of currant jelly stool.