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WHAT  IS  DIARRHEA?

 

Diarrhea is the frequent and sometimes explosive passage of loose, watery stools that may be green, slimy and foul smelling.

• Diarrhoea is extremely common. In fact, by the age of five years the majority of children will have experienced a bout of diarrhea. 
• Generally, this is a minor problem that can be treated at home. Sometimes, however, it can become more serious. This is more common in babies under two, who can become dehydrated very quickly.

Diarrhea is common in babies, although the condition is usually mild. However, it can lead to dehydration so should be closely monitored.

 

What causes diarrhea?

 

Damage to the lining of the intestine results in food not being digested and this causes diarrhea. The damage can have a variety of causes:

 

• The most common cause in babies is a viral infection, often a rotovirus, or a form of E. coli.
•  An acute viral or bacterial infection can lead to inflammation of the small intestine (gastroenteritis), which is usually accompanied by vomiting and a fever. Gastroenteritis is highly contagious. 
• Certain antibiotics can cause diarrhoea. 
• Some fruit juices contain sorbitol, a sugar that is not absorbed in the intestines. Sorbitol draws water from the walls of the intestines, and so can either aggravate diarrhea or even trigger the problem when excessive amounts are consumed.

This is the most common virus to infect people and is called rotovirus. It often causes diarrhea Associated Symptoms.

 

A baby or child who is suffering from diarrhoea may also:

 

• Vomit
• Have a raw, red nappy rash around the anus
• Be generally unwell, lethargic and have a slight temperature, if the cause is an infection
• Be dehydrated. This is a serious problem and if your baby starts to lose weight or shows signs of dehydration (see overleaf), you should contact your doctor straightaway.

NOTE: breast-fed babies have loose, yellow, inoffensive stools. This is normal and should not be confused with diarrhea.

 

What you can do

 

Check your child for other symptoms of illness and closely monitor his wellbeing.

 

• lf your baby or child is feeding and drinking well, he probably has a mild case of diarrhoea that will clear up in a few days. Make sure he has plenty of fluids.
• If your baby is listless, off his food, colicky, vomiting and generally unwell, seek medical advice. Watch for signs of dehydration which can develop rapidly. 
• If you are breast-feeding, make a note of what you have eaten in the last few days. Your baby may be intolerant to an ingredient that has been passed through your milk. 
• If you have recently changed from formula to cow's milk, or introduced a new food to an older child, try changing back again to see if the diarrhoea stops.

Signs of dehydration

 

Dehydration can occur quickly and may cause your baby or child to:

 

• Be unusually quiet, unresponsive and drowsy
• Have a dry mouth and tongue, and reduce the elasticity of his skin.
• Cry persistently, but shed few tears or none at all.
• Pass dark, yellowish urine infrequently (less than every eight hours).
• Lose body weight - if your baby has lost an excessive amount of weight, he may be severely dehydrated and you should contact your  doctor  immediately.

Treating diarrhea

 

Diarrhea can usually be treated at home, but in serious cases hospitalization may be necessary.

 

If your child is well except for the diarrhoea and is not vomiting, stop all juices and high-fat foods and ensure that he drinks plenty of fluids. Do not give anti-diarrhoea medicines. These may lessen the frequency with which stools are passed but will not increase intestinal re-absorption of water.

 

If your child has diarrhoea and is vomiting, contact your doctor. You may need to start oral rehydration. Your doctor will advise you how much you should give. Continue giving bland foods and or formula milk. Continue breast-feeding as breast­milk contains essential antibodies

 

If the diarrhea worsens and is accompanied by vomiting and/or signs of dehydration, seek medical help immediately.

 

If your child has prolonged diarrhoea, your doctor may prescribe oral rehydration solutions. They contain salts, sugar and minerals to replace those that have been lost.

 

Caring for a baby or child with diarrhoea

 

• Keep your child warm and away from other children in case the diarrhoea has been caused by an infection. 
• Change any soiled nappies immediately to avoid a severe nappy rash. Cover the bottom with a petroleum cream to safeguard the skin. 
• If you are breast-feeding, continue to do so, letting your baby suckle little and often for comfort and nourishment. Some of the breastmilk will be absorbed. 
• Weigh your baby regularly to monitor any weight loss. 
• Seek medical help if the condition persists for more than 48 hours, worsens or your child won't take fluid. 

Give your child frequent drinks of water at room temperature to avoid him becoming dehydrated.

 

Preventing diarrhea

 

No preventive measures against diarrhea are completely effective, but the following can reduce the chances of the condition occurring.

 

• Breast-feed: diarrhoea caused by an infection is rare in breast-fed babies and, if it does occur, the symptoms are usually less severe and less prolonged. 
• Guard against food intolerance: introduce new foods one by one to check for any intolerance or allergic reaction. 
• Treat infections: an infection in another area of the body can spread to the intestines if untreated.

 To prevent diarrhoea, make sure you sterilize feeding bottles, teats and dummies correctly.

 

For  More  Information:  Please  consult  your  physician  on  your  next  visit.