What is the cause of diarrhea in children?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Childhood diarrhea is divided into infectious diarrhea and non-infectious diarrhea, with the common type in children being infectious diarrhea, which includes rotavirus enteritis, bacterial enteritis, and bacterial dysentery, among others, with rotavirus enteritis being the most common. It is characterized by watery diarrhea or "egg-flower" style diarrhea. It is also accompanied by dry mouth, reduced urine output, and some can have symptoms such as vomiting and fever. Similarly, bacterial diarrhea can also present with vomiting, fever, and other symptoms. Other types of diarrhea, such as allergic diarrhea, commonly occur from milk allergies, and there are cases of lactose intolerance that also result in diarrhea. Therefore, there are many causes of childhood diarrhea, and each case should be analyzed specifically.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea drink yogurt?

Yogurt is made by fermenting pure milk and retains all the nutritional components of fresh milk. During the fermentation process, lactic acid bacteria can produce a variety of vitamins essential for human nutrition. Yogurt contains a large amount of lactic acid bacteria, which have the effect of resisting the production of harmful bacteria. Therefore, children with diarrhea can appropriately drink some yogurt. However, it is not recommended to drink it on an empty stomach. Additionally, if a baby has diarrhea, drinking chilled yogurt might aggravate their condition, so it is also not advised to consume large amounts of yogurt on an empty stomach.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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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.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea eat eggs?

Diarrhea in children indicates that their gastrointestinal function is significantly weak, and their ability to absorb nutrients such as starch, fat, and protein is notably poor. Therefore, during a child's diarrhea period, it is recommended to provide some light, easily digestible food, and to avoid spicy, cold, or greasy foods, as well as high-protein and high-starch foods. While some eggs can be appropriate for children with diarrhea, the quantity should not be excessive. Additionally, some children may experience diarrhea due to allergies to certain proteins, in which case it is advised not to consume eggs.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea eat potatoes?

Pediatric diarrhea is caused by various factors leading to gastrointestinal dysfunction, resulting in malabsorption of nutrients, characterized by increased frequency and changed nature of stools. Potatoes contain a rich amount of starch and a large amount of dietary fiber. A large amount of dietary fiber can enhance gastrointestinal motility and has a laxative effect; therefore, it is advisable for children with diarrhea to eat fewer potatoes or avoid them altogether.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Pediatric diarrhea bacterial infections are most commonly seen in what?

Pediatric diarrhea is a condition caused by various causes and factors, mainly characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in stool characteristics. A portion of this condition is caused by bacterial infections, particularly in the summer when enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli gastroenteritis is a likely cause. In such cases, children may experience vomiting, persistent diarrhea, and severe dehydration. Additionally, if the child's stool contains mucus and pus, or is a pus-blood stool, it is generally considered to be caused by bacterial dysentery bacilli. If the stool is jam-like with more blood and less stool, amoebic dysentery should be considered. Other invasive bacterial infections, such as invasive E. coli gastroenteritis, jejunal Campylobacter gastroenteritis, or Salmonella gastroenteritis, are also common bacterial infections.