Diarrhoea infant
DEFINITION
Diarrhoea is the rapid movement of faecal matter through the
intestine, resulting in poor absorption of water and nutrients, and
producing frequent, watery stools. Most babies have frequent, loose
bowel motions, which are normal. Diarrhoea becomes a problem if the
child is vomiting, feverish, irritable, not gaining weight, not
eating or passing blood in the stool.
intestine, resulting in poor absorption of water and nutrients, and
producing frequent, watery stools. Most babies have frequent, loose
bowel motions, which are normal. Diarrhoea becomes a problem if the
child is vomiting, feverish, irritable, not gaining weight, not
eating or passing blood in the stool.
DESCRIPTION
TODDLER’S DIARRHOEA is also called chronic nonspecific diarrhoea.
It involves persistent diarrhoea in an otherwise healthy toddler.
The cause is unknown but it is often related to the ingestion of
food such as excessive sugar, fat or fruit juice. Dietary
modification usually helps relieve the symptoms, which will clear
up over time.
It involves persistent diarrhoea in an otherwise healthy toddler.
The cause is unknown but it is often related to the ingestion of
food such as excessive sugar, fat or fruit juice. Dietary
modification usually helps relieve the symptoms, which will clear
up over time.
INFECTIVE DIARRHOEA is also called gastroenteritis or “gastro”. It
is caused by bacteria, parasites or a virus and is spread from
person to person by faecal/oral contact. The motions are frequent,
watery and foul smelling, and may be streaked with blood. The child
feels sick, is feverish, dehydrated and vomiting and loses weight
rapidly. Hospitalisation for treatment and fluid replacement may be
required. See your Doctor immediately to prevent severe
dehydration.
is caused by bacteria, parasites or a virus and is spread from
person to person by faecal/oral contact. The motions are frequent,
watery and foul smelling, and may be streaked with blood. The child
feels sick, is feverish, dehydrated and vomiting and loses weight
rapidly. Hospitalisation for treatment and fluid replacement may be
required. See your Doctor immediately to prevent severe
dehydration.
DEHYDRATION
This can occur very quickly with infants who are suffering
from Diarrhoea. Signs to look for include:
from Diarrhoea. Signs to look for include:
- Decreased or concentrated (dark coloured) urine.
- Decreased skin elasticity (when the skin is pinched, it stays
up for a while). - Drowsiness or floppiness.
- Fontanelle (soft spot in front of the head) sunken more than
usual. - Sunken eyes.
- Dry mouth and tongue or no tears.
CHRONIC DIARRHOEA
This particular type of Diarrhoea is associated with other
diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis , Coeliac Disease and Lactose
intolerance . Treatment of the underlying disease may help relieve
symptoms.
diseases such as Cystic Fibrosis , Coeliac Disease and Lactose
intolerance . Treatment of the underlying disease may help relieve
symptoms.
REDUCING THE RISK
Handwashing is the most important rule for stopping the spread
of infection. Hands should be washed before and after toileting,
food preparation, nappy changes, touching pets and gardening.
Keeping a baby away from other children with Gastroenteritis may
help to reduce the risk of infection.
of infection. Hands should be washed before and after toileting,
food preparation, nappy changes, touching pets and gardening.
Keeping a baby away from other children with Gastroenteritis may
help to reduce the risk of infection.
Baby bottles of formula should be made up as they are needed and
not stored for more than 24 hours. Any milk left over after a feed
must be discarded as bacteria from the mouth can enter the bottle
and breed. Sterilising bottles, teats, dummies and all implements
used for formula preparation is recommended to prevent spread of
bacteria.
not stored for more than 24 hours. Any milk left over after a feed
must be discarded as bacteria from the mouth can enter the bottle
and breed. Sterilising bottles, teats, dummies and all implements
used for formula preparation is recommended to prevent spread of
bacteria.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
As with all conditions, your Doctor should be consulted. Young
babies with Diarrhoea become ill very quickly and medical advice
should be sought if the following occurs:
babies with Diarrhoea become ill very quickly and medical advice
should be sought if the following occurs:
- The baby is less than 3 months old (or less than 6 months old
if premature). - The infant is persistently vomiting and unable to keep fluids
down. - The child has numerous (more than 10) watery motions a day,
especially if they contain blood. - The child shows signs of dehydration.
If the child vomits persistently (i.e. every 30-60 minutes),
give frequent small amounts of fluid. If this is unsuccessful, see
your Doctor.
give frequent small amounts of fluid. If this is unsuccessful, see
your Doctor.
DIET HINTS
- Avoid fluids such as lemonade, cola, orange juice, sport drinks
and full-strength fruit juice, as the high sugar content of these
drinks can draw more water into the gut and worsen diarrhoea. - Continue breast-feeding as normal.
- Encourage infants to drink plain water or water mixed with a
rehydrating solution available from your Pharmacy to help replace
the electrolytes lost in Diarrhoea. - The BRAT diet (Banana, Rice, Apple and Toast) is recommended
for children who are eating solids. - A good rule of thumb with Diarrhoea is to eat foods which are
the same consistency as the stools being passed e.g., if stools are
watery, drink only water until the stools become firmer.
PHARMACIST’S ADVICE
Ask your Pharmacist for advice.
- Continue breastfeeding but if bottle-feeding, replace milk or
formula with oral rehydration solution for 24 hours. Ask your
Pharmacist for the correct amount to feed your child. - If the infant is in pain or has a fever, ask your Pharmacist to
recommend the most suitable type of pain relief. Do not give
aspirin to a child. - Consider some nutritional supplements if the dietary vitamin
intake is inadequate. It is best to wait until Diarrhoea has ceased
as the supplements may be passed out of the body too quickly and
not absorb properly. Acidophilus for infants may help to restore
the natural bowel flora especially after an attack of
gastroenteritis. Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E,
beta-carotene and zinc may help boost the immune system. Ask your
Pharmacist about vitamin formulas for infants.
Aspirin should not be given to children under 16 years of age
unless specified by a Doctor.
unless specified by a Doctor.