Why does a child have diarrhea?
Most often, the cause is viruses that damage the cells of the small intestine and interfere with the absorption of water. Such infections are easily transmitted in families and kindergartens through dirty hands, toys and dishes. Bacterial intestinal infections are more severe, often with high fever and blood. Less commonly, loose stools are associated with parasites, antibiotic use, food intolerance, or excess sugary juices. In infants, frequent soft stools may be normal if the child is alert and gaining weight well.
- Rotavirus, norovirus and other enteric viruses
- Bacterial infections: salmonellosis, dysentery, campylobacteriosis
- Giardiasis and other parasitoses
- Diarrhea due to antibiotic use
- Food intolerance and allergy to cow's milk protein
- Excess fruit juices and sugary drinks
How to recognize dehydration
Dehydration develops faster the younger the child and the more fluid he loses through stool and vomiting. It is important for parents to look not at the number of trips to the toilet, but at the general condition: activity, lip moisture, frequency of urination. An alarming sign for a baby is a dry diaper for several hours and a sunken fontanel. If a child becomes unusually sleepy or, conversely, restless and does not drink, help is needed immediately; In case of serious condition, call an ambulance by number 103.
- Dry lips and tongue, crying without tears
- Urinating less frequently than usual, dark urine
- Lethargy or severe restlessness
- Sunken eyes, in infants - sunken fontanel
- Rapid breathing and heart rate
- The skin slowly straightens after being folded
What to drink and feed your baby
The main task is to replenish the loss of fluid and salts. To do this, they use pharmaceutical solutions for oral rehydration: they are given often and in small portions, literally a spoonful every few minutes, especially if the child is vomiting. Sweet soda, store-bought juices and strong broths are not suitable: they increase diarrhea. There is no need for a hunger pause - you need to feed your usual food as soon as your appetite appears. Breastfeeding is not interrupted, but rather more often than usual.
- Oral rehydration solutions in small, frequent portions
- Continue breastfeeding or regular formula
- Boiled cereals, potatoes, banana, lean meat, dairy products
- Avoid sweet juices, soda, fatty and fried foods
- Do not give antidiarrheal drugs to adults unless prescribed by a doctor.
What examinations are needed
For mild diarrhea that goes away quickly, testing is usually not needed. An examination is prescribed if diarrhea lasts longer than a week, there is blood in the stool, a high fever, or suspicion of parasitosis. The coprogram shows signs of inflammation and digestion disorders, stool culture reveals the pathogen and its sensitivity to antibiotics. A general blood test helps assess the severity of inflammation and dehydration, and if the course is prolonged, the doctor rules out celiac disease, lactase deficiency and inflammatory bowel disease.
- Coprogram
- Stool culture for intestinal group
- Feces for helminth eggs and Giardia antigen
- Complete blood count with ESR
- Blood electrolytes in severe dehydration
- Abdominal ultrasound for pain and prolonged diarrhea
Treatment and prevention
Treatment of viral diarrhea is supportive: fluids, nutrition, and observation. The doctor may additionally prescribe zinc preparations for young children and certain probiotic strains with proven effectiveness. Antibiotics are only needed for a confirmed bacterial infection of a certain type: for most intestinal infections, they do not speed up recovery and can be harmful. Drugs that slow down intestinal motility are usually contraindicated in children. Prevention comes down to simple and reliable hygiene measures and vaccination against rotavirus in the first months of life.
- Rehydration is the main treatment
- Zinc and selected probiotics as prescribed by your pediatrician
- Antibiotics - only for proven indications
- Washing hands after using the toilet and before eating
- Safe water and food processing
- Vaccination against rotavirus infection