Urate Crystals

Dr. Greene’s Answer:

Orange smudges are usually urate crystals. They are normal, soft, like tiny cubes of Jell-O — sometimes smushed, and sometimes confused with drops of blood in the diaper.

These are more common when kids are a bit dehydrated, but they can show up in healthy babies at anytime.

It just comes from having lots of urate in the urine. Sometimes orange food or some medications (such as rifampin or phenazopyridine (Pyridium)) can also be the culprit for orange smudges in the diaper.

May 9, 2008
Updated: October 1, 2020

Dr. Greene is a practicing physician, author, national and international TEDx speaker, and global health advocate. He is a graduate of Princeton University and University of California San Francisco.

Get Dr. Greene's Wellness Recommendations

Sign up now for a delightful weekly email with insights for the whole family.

One Comment

Add a Comment
  1. Likhitha

    This happened with my son wen he was 4 days old .then he was not getting enough Breast milk and was dehydrated.but now bf is established and he has been feeding well.he is 6 months old now.today I spotted orange spot again on his diaper.he had mild diarrhea untill 2 days back. wat could be the reason?

    Added:

Comments are closed.