Causes of diarrhea in infants and children

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If your child has occasional loose stools this is nothing to worry about, but suddenly having looser, more frequent bowel movements could be diarrhea. Causes of diarrhea include infections, drinking too much juice, improperly mixing milk, and food allergies. In case your baby has diarrhea, talk to your doctor to limit your baby's dehydration.

1. Signs of diarrhea in young children

If your child's bowel movements suddenly change, i.e. he has more bowel movements than usual and has looser, more watery stools than usual, it could be diarrhea. However, stools that are occasionally looser than usual are generally nothing to worry about.
Most cases of diarrhea in children in the United States are relatively mild and do not pose a major health threat, as long as the child is not dehydrated. Dehydration can be very serious, even fatal, especially for babies, so it's important that you make sure your child gets plenty of fluids.
How long diarrhea in young children lasts and the best treatment depends on the cause.

2. Causes of diarrhea in infants and children

Common causes of diarrhea in infants and young children include:
Viral or bacterial infections in the digestive tract Ear infections Parasites Antibiotics Too much juice Mixed formulas the right way Food allergy or intolerance A poison We will look at each cause of diarrhea in more detail below.

2.1. Viral infection

Viruses such as rotovirus, norovirus, adenovirus, calicivirus, astrovirus, and influenza are all viruses that can cause diarrhea, as well as vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, chills, and aches.

2.2. Bacterial infection or food poisoning

Bacteria such as salmonella, shigella, staphylococcus, campylobacter, or E. coli can cause diarrhea. Some bacterial infections go away on their own. Others, such as the E. coli bacteria found in foods like undercooked meat, cause food poisoning that can be very serious.
If your child has a bacterial infection, he or she may have severe diarrhea with cramps, blood and mucus in the stool, and a fever. Your baby may or may not vomit. If your child has these symptoms, take him or her to the doctor. A stool culture can help determine if your child has a bacterial infection.

2.3. Ear infections

Diarrhea may accompany viral or bacterial ear infections. This is more common in children under 2. Your child may pull his or her ear or complain of an earache if he or she is of a talking age. Other ear infection symptoms are fussiness, vomiting, fever, and loss of appetite.

2.4. Parasites

Parasites can cause watery diarrhea and greasy stools. For example, giardiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines. Other symptoms include bloating, gas, nausea, and cramps.
Parasitic infections are contagious in groups of children, for example in kindergartens or preschools. Treatment requires special medication, so your child will need to see a doctor.

2.5. Antibiotics

Antibiotics destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut along with harmful bacteria. If your infant or young child has diarrhea during or after a course of antibiotics, the cause may be drug-related. If this happens, talk to your doctor, but don't stop giving your child any prescribed medicine until your doctor tells you to continue.

2.6. Drinking too much juice

Drinking too much juice can cause diarrhea. That's because many juices contain sorbitol, an indigestible form of sugar. Excess sorbitol levels cause the body to try to dilute the sugar by pulling water from the bloodstream into the intestines, causing loose stools. That's how prune juice, which is high in sorbitol, helps prevent constipation. Apple, pear, peach and cherry juices are also quite high in sorbitol. Cutting the amount should solve the problem in a week or so.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers the following daily juice recommendations:
No juice for babies before age 1 No more than 114ml (1/2 cup) for ages 1 to 3 No more than 114 to 170ml (1/2 cup to 3/4 cup) for ages 4 to 6 No more than 227ml (1 cup) for kids 7 years and older Improper formulation: always double check Are you adding the right amount of water when making formula? Using the wrong ratio of formula to water can cause diarrhea.

2.7. Food allergy

If your child has a food allergy, his or her immune system will react to normally harmless food proteins in a way that can cause mild or severe reactions including diarrhea. Other symptoms of a food allergy include bloating, abdominal pain, and blood in the stool. In more severe cases, allergies can also cause vomiting, hives, or a skin rash.
Common food allergens include cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, wheat, tree nuts, fish and shellfish. If you think your baby or young child may have a food allergy, talk to your doctor.

2.8. Food intolerance

Unlike a food allergy, a food intolerance (also called a food sensitivity) is an abnormal response that does not involve the immune system. For example, lactose intolerance occurs when a person does not produce enough lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, the sugar in cow's milk and other dairy products. The undigested lactose stays in the intestines, causing symptoms including diarrhea, stomach cramps, bloating and gas. Lactose intolerance is very unusual in infants.
Note: If your child has severe diarrhea, your child may temporarily have difficulty producing lactase and as a result your child may have symptoms of lactose intolerance for a week or two.

2.9 Poisoning

If your child has diarrhea and vomiting, and you think he or she may have swallowed something dangerous such as medicine. If the child is unconscious or having trouble breathing, call the Poison Control Center immediately.

3. How to keep children hydrated if they have diarrhea

Diarrhea can cause a child to become dehydrated, which can be dangerous, so your first concern is getting your child to drink enough fluids.
If the baby is not vomiting, continue to give breast milk or formula. If your toddler is not vomiting, give them extra fluids to drink. If your baby can't keep fluids down, call the doctor. Your doctor may instruct you to give your child a pediatric electrolyte solution. Children's electrolyte solutions are formulated to give children the right amount of sugar and salt, for rehydration, if needed. They're different from sports drinks, like Gatorade, which doctors don't recommend for children with diarrhea.
For Newborns: As soon as your baby can hold on to fluids, continue to breastfeed or formula feed, so your baby will get the nutrition and calories he needs.
For toddlers: If your child doesn't like the taste of electrolyte solutions, try adding 1/4 teaspoon of unsweetened flavored powdered drink mix to 227 ml of unflavored electrolyte product .

4. Some questions for children with diarrhea

4.1. Can I give my child Gatorade if my child has diarrhea and seems dehydrated?

The sugar in sports drinks can make a child's diarrhea worse. Use a pediatric electrolyte solution if your doctor recommends something other than breast milk, formula, or water.

4.2. What should my child eat if he has diarrhea?

Feed your child a normal diet. Eating healthy foods can help shorten diarrhea by providing essential nutrients needed to fight infection. When tolerated, children can eat staples such as complex carbohydrates (such as bread, cereal, and rice), lean meats, and fruits and vegetables. Broth or soup can also help reduce dehydration. If your child refuses to eat, don't worry. As long as the child stays hydrated, his appetite should return in a day or two.
Give the child yogurt. Studies have shown that live bacteria found in yogurt are a safe and effective way to cut down on the amount and duration of diarrhea. Use plain, unsweetened, unsweetened yogurt that contains live bacteria like lactobacillus.
Do not give children sugar. Avoid sugary foods and drinks such as gelatin, sodas (including ginger ale), sports drinks, and undiluted juices. Sugar draws water into the intestines, which can make diarrhea worse.

4.3. What should I do if diarrhea irritates baby's skin in the diaper area?

Your baby's bottom may be red and irritated from loose stools. Clean the lower part of the anus gently and keep it as dry as possible. Use plenty of cream or ointment when changing a baby or toddler's diaper to prevent diaper rash. Diaper cream or ointment can also help protect and soothe a potty-trained baby's bottom.

4.4. Is it okay to give a child an adult's anti-diarrheal medicine?

No, don't give your child anti-diarrheal medicine unless your doctor prescribes it. These drugs can be dangerous for babies and children.

4.5. When should I call the doctor about my child's diarrhea?

3 months or younger: Call the doctor right away if your baby has diarrhea. Over 3 months of age: Call your doctor if diarrhea does not improve after 24 hours. All ages: Call the doctor if your baby can't keep up with fluids or if the diarrhea is severe (watery bowel movements every two hours or more often). Multiple symptoms: Call the doctor at once if your child has diarrhea and any of the following symptoms:
Vomiting repeatedly Symptoms of dehydration such as dry mouth, crying without tears, sunken fontanel, and frequent urination frequently (not wearing wet diapers or urinating for six hours or more)
Blood in stools or black stools High fever: 38.5 degrees Celsius or higher if the child is 3 to 6 months old; 39.5 degrees Celsius or more if the baby is 6 months old or older. If your baby is less than 3 months old and his temperature is 38 degrees Celsius or higher, call the doctor right away.

5. Prevent diarrhea in children

Frequent hand washing for everyone in your home is your best defense against infectious diarrhea, as the microorganisms that cause diarrhea are easily transmitted from hand to mouth. Wash your baby's hands well as well as yours for at least 15 seconds with soap and warm water before eating or preparing food, and after handling dirty diapers or using the toilet.
As children get older, encourage them to avoid keeping their hands out of their faces, such as sneezing into their elbows instead of using their hands.
Children can also get an infection that causes diarrhea when they put their fingers in their mouths after touching toys or other objects that have been contaminated with an infected child's stool. That's one of the reasons daycares and schools have rules requiring children with diarrhea to stay home. Once you have a play area at home, clean up shared toys and play areas afterward.
When a child shows abnormal signs of health, parents can take the child to Vinmec Health system for timely examination and treatment.
As a key area of ​​Vinmec Health System, Pediatrics Department - Vinmec International General Hospital always brings satisfaction to customers and is highly appreciated by industry experts thanks to the following advantages:
gathers a team of leading doctors and doctors in Pediatrics: including leading experts, with high professional qualifications (professors, associate professors, doctorates, masters), experienced, having worked in different hospitals. big hospitals like Bach Mai, 108.. The doctors are all well-trained, professional, have a heart - reach, understand young psychology. Besides domestic pediatricians, the Department of Pediatrics also has the participation of foreign experts (Japan, Singapore, Australia, USA) who are always pioneers in applying the latest and most effective treatment regimens. . Comprehensive services: In the field of Pediatrics, Vinmec provides a series of continuous medical examination and treatment services from Newborn to Pediatric and Vaccine,... according to international standards to help parents take care of their baby's health from birth to childhood. from birth to adulthood Specialized techniques: Vinmec has successfully deployed many specialized techniques to make the treatment of difficult diseases in Pediatrics more effective: neurosurgery - skull surgery, stem cell transplantation. blood in cancer treatment. Professional care: In addition to understanding children's psychology, Vinmec also pays special attention to the children's play space, helping them to have fun and get used to the hospital's environment, cooperate in treatment, improve the efficiency of medical treatment.

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Reference source: babycenter.com