Diarrhea in children, especially infant diarrhea, requires careful treatment to avoid the negative effects of dehydration. Because diarrhea is a general symptom associated with a number of diseases, infant diarrhea is very common. In fact, over 1 billion cases of diarrhea in children occur around the world each year. While most cases of loose bowel movements clear up after a week or so, 3 million cases of diarrhea in children prove fatal every year.
Infant diarrhea mortality rates are highest in underdeveloped countries where access to clean water is limited. In industrialized countries, mortality rates are much lower.
Identifying diarrhea in very young children can be difficult because breastfeeding infants naturally produce loose, wet bowel movements. Occasionally, breastfeeding babies have bowel movements surrounded by "water rings," or they may have green bowel movements. These unusual bowel movements are also normal while breastfeeding.
During the first two to three months of breastfeeding, infants average one bowel movement for every feeding. Symptoms of infant diarrhea include:
If your infant exhibits any of these symptoms, consult your doctor who can identify whether or not any underlying condition is causing diarrhea.
Infant Diarrhea and Diaper Rash Loose bowel movements caused by infant diarrhea can result in painful diaper rash. Minimize diaper rash by quickly changing the infant after urination or bowel movements. After bowel movements, wash the buttocks and anus and then apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly. If bowel movements overflow diapers, plastic training pants offer a way to control overflow.
Loose bowel movements caused by infant diarrhea can result in painful diaper rash. Minimize diaper rash by quickly changing the infant after urination or bowel movements.
After bowel movements, wash the buttocks and anus and then apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly. If bowel movements overflow diapers, plastic training pants offer a way to control overflow.
Loose, watery bowel movements rob the body of fluid and, if left untreated, can result in dehydration. While anyone experiencing diarrhea is susceptible to dehydration, children and infants are especially vulnerable. If your child has diarrhea, be aware of these symptoms of dehydration:
Report any dehydration symptoms to your child's doctor. Severe dehydration is the leading cause of infant diarrhea mortality.
The conditions that tend to cause diarrhea in children are the same as those that produce diarrhea in adults. The stomach flu (viral gastroenteritis), the most common cause of infant diarrhea, generally causes loose bowel movements for around a week or two.
Other causes of diarrhea in children include:
Regardless of the cause of diarrhea, remember that diarrhea is one of the key ways in which the human body dispels toxins. (Vomiting is another way.) As a result, while untreated diarrhea can lead to serious health consequences, wait about three hours before beginning any treatment (aside from keeping your infant hydrated). This allows for your child's body to thoroughly rid itself of whatever foreign substance triggered his diarrhea.
Toddler's Diarrhea Toddler's diarrhea describes a chronic form of diarrhea in children between six months and three years of age. Although loose bowel movements are present, no cause is evident, as the child eats, grows and develops at a normal rate. Excessive fruit juice drinking often causes toddler's diarrhea. Limiting fruit juice and increasing dietary fat and fiber often alleviates toddler's diarrhea.
Toddler's diarrhea describes a chronic form of diarrhea in children between six months and three years of age. Although loose bowel movements are present, no cause is evident, as the child eats, grows and develops at a normal rate.
Excessive fruit juice drinking often causes toddler's diarrhea. Limiting fruit juice and increasing dietary fat and fiber often alleviates toddler's diarrhea.
As most cases of diarrhea in children resolve themselves, infant diarrhea treatment generally focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing dehydration. Keep in mind that once you notice that your child suffers from diarrhea, delay treatment (except for the hydration therapy) for a few hours to ensure that his body has been able to expel a large amount, if not all, of the diarrhea-inducing toxins. (Doctors recommend that healthy adults wait about four to six hours).
Diarrhea treatments include the following:
Episodes of diarrhea in children should be watched carefully for signs of dehydration, especially in the case of infant diarrhea. The younger the child, the faster diarrhea causes dehydration. Call your doctor if any of the following factors are present:
Most children and infants experience occasional diarrhea. You can minimize the risk of contracting diarrhea-causing infections by practicing good hand-washing habits after bowel movements and diaper changes. Encourage children to wash their hands after bowel movements and before eating.
Some diarrhea-causing agents can be transmitted through eating food or drinking fluids contaminated with fecal matter. As a result, children with diarrhea should not share plates or drinking glasses with others.
Inanimate objects can also transmit diarrhea-causing infections. After a bout of infant diarrhea, wash the child's linen and toys. Sterilize diaper bins and any other baby-care items that may have been contaminated by fecal matter.
Postgraduate Medicine (2002). Diarrhea. Retrieved August 2, 2007 from the Postgraduate Medicine Web site: http://www.postgradmed.com/issues/2002/01_02/pn_diarrhea.htm.
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