Gastroenteritis - diarrhea in children Custom Search Gastroenteritis or diarrhea in children is one of the most common problems in pediatric practice. It affects children all over the world and of all socioeconomic groups through it is more common among the under privileged living in poor hygienic conditions. The usual cause of diarrhea is an infection of the digestive system through contaminated water and food. Viral infections are more common than bacterial infections. The problem usually occurs after weaning is started or in those babies getting formula feeding. Exclusive breast feeding provides almost complete protection against diarrhea. Often the disease starts with vomiting with or without fever. After vomiting for a few times the child starts passing watery stools. In bacterial infections there may be mucus with or without blood in the stools.
The stool may also have offensive odor in case of bacterial infection. Viral infections cause watery diarrhea and can quickly result in dehydration. Bacterial infections usually cause abdominal pain and the baby may go on crying. Management: This is mainly directed at preventing dehydration which can be quite serious in infants and young children. Medicines are not of much help in diarrhea due to viral infections. Antibiotics are used when it is due to bacterial infections. The usual organisms are E. coli and Shigella. Non specific drugs which inhibit the motility of the intestine may even be harmful is small children. The body tries to eliminate disease causing organisms by increasing the frequency of stools. By preventing this we allow the harmful organisms to stay in the body and even multiply. They may even invade the blood stream causing more serious infections. Children having gastroenteritis should be given plenty of fluids like thin rice gruel with a pinch of salt, buttermilk and tender coconut water. Diarrhea is often accompanied by vomiting. If vomiting is infrequent, child can be managed at home by giving frequent feeds of small quantities. If vomiting is frequent the child needs hospitalization and intravenous fluids. Other causes of gastroenteritis Lactose intolerance: Occasionally a child with diarrhea can develop a condition called lactose intolerance. The organisms causing infection of the intestines can damage the inner lining of the intestine leading to deficiency of an enzyme called Lactase which is necessary for digestion of lactose the main sugar in milk. Undigested lactose is the lumen of intestines draws water from the intestinal wall (by exerting osmotic pressure) aggravating diarrhea. This condition can be diagnosed by testing the stool for sugar. Mild lactose intolerance may not require any specific treatment. It is better to continue breast feeding. If the condition is severe change over to a lactose free formula may be required. Parenteral diarrhea: This term is used when a child has some infection outside the digestive system but has diarrhea at the same time. Common causes are urinary tract infection and ear infections. Treatment of the primary cause will cure diarrhea. Food allergy: Some children are allergic to some foods and suffer from diarrhea if those foods are given. Cow’s milk causes diarrhea in some children. Wheat is another substance which can cause diarrhea. Antibiotic induced diarrhea: Many antibiotics cause diarrhea. Some antibiotics can lead to a serious condition called Preudomembromous enterocolitis. In this condition the lining of intestine in damaged resulting in its shedding causing bloody diarrhea. Custom Search
Page last reviewed on 2nd January 2011
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