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Pediatric diarrhea
How many days will it take for a child's diarrhea to get better?
The duration of diarrhea depends on the child's condition, whether it is physiological or pathological diarrhea. For physiological diarrhea in children, which is mostly due to dietary reasons, adjusting the structure of the diet can usually bring improvement. However, physiological diarrhea is not easy to resolve and can sometimes persist for months. If it is pathological diarrhea, it is necessary to identify whether it is caused by bacteria, viruses, or other specific diseases. In such cases, the first step is to perform a stool test on the infant. This involves collecting the child's stool in a clean container and bringing it to the hospital for examination within an hour to determine the cause, which will then guide further targeted medication adjustments. The duration of the illness will depend on the type of pathogen infecting the child.
Children's diarrhea is divided into two major categories.
Childhood diarrhea is categorized into infectious and non-infectious diarrhea. Common infectious diarrhea is caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Non-infectious diarrhea often includes allergic diarrhea, diarrhea caused by food intolerance, and diarrhea due to lactose intolerance. Less commonly, some malignant diseases can cause gastrointestinal dysfunction leading to diarrhea. Among children, infectious diarrhea is more prevalent, especially viral diarrhea caused by rotavirus during the summer and autumn seasons. Additionally, bacterial infections such as those caused by Escherichia coli and Shigella (bacterial dysentery), often related to poor hand hygiene, are examples of infectious diarrhea.
Clinical manifestations of pediatric diarrhea
Childhood diarrhea is caused by a variety of pathogens and factors, characterized primarily by diarrhea. Key features include increased stool frequency and changes in stool characteristics, possibly accompanied by fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and varying degrees of electrolyte and acid-base imbalances. The pathogens involved can be viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc. Additionally, factors like the misuse of antibiotics leading to intestinal flora imbalance, improper feeding, and getting chilled can also cause it. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe diarrhea. Generally, mild diarrhea primarily involves gastrointestinal symptoms and may accompany vomiting or poor appetite, with increased stool frequency and changes in stool characteristics, but no significant dehydration or systemic acidosis, usually recovering within a few days. Severe diarrhea is often an acute condition that can develop from mild diarrhea, presenting more severe gastrointestinal symptoms as well as noticeable dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and systemic toxicity symptoms such as fever, lethargy, drowsiness, and shock.
What causes diarrhea and fever in children?
If a child has diarrhea accompanied by fever, it is generally considered to be infectious diarrhea, which includes both bacterial and viral infections. Common viral gastroenteritis is caused by rotavirus infection. Rotavirus infects the intestines, which can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea with frequent stooling, characterized by egg-flower or watery stools, and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as dry mouth and scanty urination. The treatment mainly focuses on fluid replenishment and symptomatic supportive care. There is also bacterial gastroenteritis, such as colitis caused by Escherichia coli infection and bacillary dysentery caused by Shigella infection, which can present with fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools.
Clinical manifestations of childhood diarrhea
Childhood diarrhea is caused by various factors that increase the frequency of bowel movements in children and also change the characteristics of the stool. The common clinical manifestations of childhood diarrhea are primarily gastrointestinal symptoms. The child may experience poor appetite, spitting up milk and vomiting, and an increased frequency of bowel movements. However, the volume of stool in mild cases is not too large, appearing thin or watery, and is yellow or yellow-green in color with a sour smell. Most cases of diarrhea without dehydration or systemic poisoning recover within a few days. In more severe cases of diarrhea, where the child experiences an increased frequency of bowel movements and the stools are watery, there can also be significant dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and symptoms of systemic infection. These mainly manifest as either fever or lack of fever increase, irritability or lethargy and drowsiness, pale complexion, confused consciousness, and even fainting, shock symptoms.
Where to massage for children's diarrhea
If a child's diarrhea is not severe, it can be alleviated by massage to ease this clinical symptom. Where do we usually massage? First, local abdominal massage can be performed using kneading and rolling techniques, commonly targeting acupoints like Zhongwan, Xiawan, Jianli, and Tianshu. These are some of the acupoints on the abdomen. On the distal parts of the limbs, we can also select some acupoints for massage, especially Liangqiu, Zusanli, Shangjuxu, and Xiajuxu, which are excellent for regulating childhood diarrhea. Additionally, massaging the child's Yongquan acupoint can also relieve symptoms of diarrhea. During the massage, it's essential to combine it with a diet that is bland and easy to digest to enhance the effectiveness.
Can children with diarrhea drink milk?
When a child experiences diarrhea, it indicates an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and a change in the nature of the stools. The first principle of treating diarrhea is to continue feeding the child, so it is acceptable for children who drink cow's milk to continue doing so. However, if the diarrhea persists for a long time and the child develops lactose intolerance, it may be considered to switch to a diarrhea-specific formula, which is lactose-free, as this will be more beneficial for the child's recovery from diarrhea. Normally, it is possible to continue giving cow's milk, as the feeding must continue to ensure the child's adequate nutritional needs. Otherwise, fasting the child and providing nothing to eat, coupled with diarrhea, can quickly lead to dehydration, acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances.
Pediatric viral diarrhea infections are most commonly caused by what?
Children are prone to diarrhea due to the immature development of their gastrointestinal tract, with viral infections being very common among them. The most common virus causing diarrhea in children is the rotavirus. Initially, children may show symptoms similar to a cold, followed by watery or soup-like stools. Children can easily become dehydrated and suffer from electrolyte imbalances, so it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. Another common virus causing diarrhea in children, similar to rotavirus but often more severe, is the norovirus. Norovirus also damages the intestinal mucosa, leading to watery stools and rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Therefore, it's essential to be highly vigilant and take preventive measures against these viral infections.
Pediatric diarrhea is divided into two main categories.
Childhood diarrhea can be divided into two major categories based on its causes: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious factors primarily include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, among which viral and bacterial infections are most common. Viral infections are mainly seen in rotavirus infections, while bacterial infections are predominantly associated with pathogenic, invasive, toxigenic, and hemorrhagic strains of Escherichia coli. Additionally, infections from other bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella also occur. Intestinal infections can also cause diarrhea, such as those accompanying upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, etc., because the toxins released by the infecting agents during fevers or diarrhea associated with antibiotic treatments can induce diarrhea. Non-infectious causes mainly include dietary and climatic factors.
What can children eat when they have diarrhea?
Childhood diarrhea is a manifestation of acute gastroenteritis. During this process, his digestive function will definitely be affected, so it is important to pay attention to diet. Provide light and easy-to-digest foods. If breastfeeding, the mother's diet should also include light and easy-to-digest foods. For babies fed with formula, we can use diarrhea-specific formula, and supplementary foods such as rice porridge and noodles can be added. Avoid greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. It is appropriate to add vegetables, but do not orally administer sugary foods, including sugars, biscuits, etc., as these are not suitable for the baby.