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Pediatric diarrhea
What causes diarrhea and fever in children?
Pediatric diarrhea is a group of diseases caused by multiple etiologies and factors, characterized by an increase in the frequency of defecation and changes in stool characteristics. Pediatric diarrhea can be accompanied by varying degrees of fever, primarily due to viral or bacterial infections. For example, clinically, infections with rotavirus can lead to high fever in children. Additionally, infections caused by various bacteria, such as bacterial dysentery, can increase the frequency of defecation and result in symptoms of bacterial toxicosis. In such cases, fever is also a symptom. Only when the infective factors are completely controlled can the body temperature return to a normal range.
What are the common causes of diarrhea in children?
Some common causes of childhood diarrhea include infectious and non-infectious diarrhea. Causes of infectious diarrhea include bacteria, viruses, amoebic dysentery, etc. Common viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus, etc. Common bacterial infections include Escherichia coli, Shigella, and other bacteria. Additionally, intestinal amoebic pathogens can also cause diarrhea. Some causes of non-infectious diarrhea include lactose intolerance and food allergies, among others.
Treatment methods for childhood diarrhea
Firstly, it is important to pay attention to the baby’s response and the condition of their urination. If the baby shows poor spirit response and less urination, it often indicates dehydration, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. Generally, mild to moderate dehydration can be treated with oral rehydration solutions, which include electrolytes replenishment. However, in cases of severe dehydration, which may suggest hypovolemic shock, emergency intravenous fluids are necessary to expand blood volume, and it is crucial to go to the hospital promptly. Additionally, oral probiotics like bifidobacteria can be administered to regulate the intestinal flora. Montmorillonite powder can also be given to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa and stop diarrhea. If bacterial infection is suspected to be the cause of diarrhea, appropriate antibiotics should be used to treat the infection, which can be administered orally or intravenously depending on the severity of the infection. Meanwhile, the baby's urination, spirit response, skin elasticity, and symptoms of dry mouth should be closely monitored to comprehensively evaluate the treatment effectiveness.
What is a good medicine for children's diarrhea?
An increase in the frequency of bowel movements in children, accompanied by a change in stool characteristics, indicates diarrhea. When a child has diarrhea, the first step should be to test a stool routine to determine whether it is infectious diarrhea or non-infectious diarrhea. In cases of infectious diarrhea, antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a hospital doctor. If the diarrhea is caused by indigestion or rotavirus infection, symptomatic treatment is generally used. Firstly, feeding should continue. For children with watery stools, we should give them oral mucosal protectants, probiotics, and oral rehydration salts. For those with prolonged diarrhea, specifically diagnosed as caused by rotavirus infection, children should be supplemented with zinc for a period, as zinc can promote the repair of intestinal mucosal damage. This means that it can speed up the improvement of diarrhea, while also preventing the recurrence of diarrhea symptoms. (The use of medications should be conducted under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
What should I do if a child suffers from food retention, vomiting, and diarrhea?
When children experience vomiting and diarrhea due to food stagnation, it is best to take them to the hospital for treatment. Through traditional Chinese medicine's syndrome differentiation and corresponding medicinal treatments, one can orally administer ready-made Chinese medicines that eliminate food stagnation. At the same time, probiotics can be taken orally to regulate the intestines. In terms of diet, it is advisable to focus on light, easily digestible, and nutritious foods. Avoid greasy, fried foods, seafood, and spicy or irritating foods. It is beneficial to eat small, frequent meals, avoid strenuous activities, and keep the child's abdomen warm to prevent catching cold.
Is it normal for a child with diarrhea to just sleep?
Infant diarrhea accompanied by excessive sleep is often abnormal. Generally speaking, diarrhea can lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. In this case, the primary focus should be on rehydration to maintain electrolyte balance, adjusting the gut flora, and using some antidiarrheal medications for additional treatment.If the baby is only sleeping, it often indicates dehydration or symptoms of electrolyte imbalance. Under these circumstances, it is crucial to go to a hospital to check for any imbalance in electrolytes, acidosis, etc., and provide timely symptomatic treatment.
What's causing a child's diarrhea and vomiting?
When a child has diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, we first consider the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. In this situation, we need to analyze the cause. The most common cause is often rotavirus infection. Rotavirus is a self-limiting disease, and treatment is primarily symptomatic, focusing on fluid replenishment to maintain electrolyte balance. It is also important to pay attention to the baby's mental state, responsiveness, and urination. Additionally, we need to be cautious of vomiting and diarrhea caused by intestinal bacterial infections, such as food poisoning, which can present similar symptoms. If a bacterial infection is suspected, we must promptly administer sensitive antibiotics for the infection treatment, while also focusing on symptomatic treatments such as fluid and electrolyte replenishment.
What medicine is effective for children's diarrhea?
In cases of childhood diarrhea, it is crucial first to identify the cause. Generally, it is categorized into infectious and non-infectious diarrhea. If it is suspected to be infectious diarrhea, it can be further divided into viral enteritis, bacterial infections of the intestines, and possibly fungal enteritis, among others. Typically, viral enteritis has a self-limiting course and does not require special medication treatments. The primary treatment includes hydration and maintaining electrolyte balance, and possibly using probiotics to regulate the intestinal flora as symptomatic treatment. If bacteria infection causes the enteritis, sensitive antibiotics are required for the infection. For non-infectious diarrhea, specific medications targeting the cause of the condition are used, such as lactase supplements for diarrhea caused by lactose intolerance and providing special formula milk for diarrhea. If the diarrhea is due to allergies, it's essential to avoid the allergens in the diet. Therefore, every case needs to be analyzed based on its specific circumstances. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a professional doctor.)
Can children with diarrhea eat eggs?
In cases of diarrhea in children, we must pay attention to their diet. Since diarrhea itself is inflammation of the intestines, digestive function is definitely impaired, and the activity of digestive enzymes will also decrease. Under these circumstances, it is essential to provide a bland and easily digestible diet. If the diarrhea persists for a long time, it is best to feed with diarrhea-specific formula. Eggs are relatively difficult to digest, and in cases of diarrhea, they should be avoided as much as possible. Eating eggs can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, hinder digestion and absorption, and is not conducive to the recovery of the condition. Thus, it is advisable to avoid consuming eggs when experiencing diarrhea.
What medicine should a child take for vomiting and diarrhea?
In cases where children experience vomiting and diarrhea, it is generally considered that the child may have acute gastroenteritis. For particularly severe diarrhea, where the stool is watery, it is advisable to give the child montmorillonite powder to protect the intestinal mucosa, along with probiotics, and oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration. Because severe vomiting can also be a concern, treatments to stop vomiting can be implemented, such as administering Vitamin B6 via injection, or by administering oral aluminum phosphate gel. With the above treatments, vomiting and diarrhea can generally be well controlled. If the child has already developed moderate or more severe dehydration due to the vomiting and diarrhea, accompanied by varying degrees of electrolyte disorder, hospitalization for intravenous fluid therapy is then necessary. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)