Question:

What is the cause of the greenish-black colour of stool (meconium) in a neonate?

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Which bile pigment is green, not yellow?
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Meconium
  • Biliverdin
  • Bilirubin
  • Urochrome
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Answer: Biliverdin.
Step 1: The question asks for the pigment that gives meconium its dark greenish-black colour, not the name of the stool itself, so meconium is not the right pick.
Step 2: Meconium is made of swallowed amniotic fluid, desquamated fetal cells, lanugo, scalp hair, vernix, intestinal secretions and bile.
Step 3: The characteristic dark green colour comes from bile pigments, mainly biliverdin, which is green. Bilirubin is yellow-orange and urochrome colours urine, not meconium.
Step 4: So the pigment responsible is biliverdin. Ref: Williams Obstetrics, 24e, p.141.
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