Diarrhea in the baby
definition
Diarrhea in babies is when more than 4 watery stools are weaned within 24 hours.
However, it should be noted that babies often have very soft stools and a soft stool per se does not count as diarrhea.
Babies' digestive systems are not yet fully developed, so thin stools are not unusual in babies.
If the stool is very watery and occurs more than 4 times a day, it can be assumed that it is diarrhea.
Since this can quickly become dangerous in babies, the fluid balance should first be checked and, if necessary, a doctor should be consulted.
causes
There are several causes that can lead to diarrhea in babies.
Often when babies have diarrhea is one infectious bowel diseasecaused by bacteria or viruses is the trigger.
The pathogen increases the movement of the already very short intestine and the absorption of liquid decreases.
Both lead to one increased stool frequency with watery stool.
But not only infections of the intestine are possible causes of diarrhea. For example, diarrhea in babies can occur even if the infection is elsewhere. So it happens again and again that babies suffer from diarrhea as part of a Otitis media or light cold Suffer.
Can also be a reason for diarrhea Food intolerance be.
Often these are diagnosed for the first time in the context of recurring diarrhea in babies. Especially if there are no other signs of infection (fever, vomiting), food intolerance should be considered as a possible cause.
Diarrhea after a vaccination
Diarrhea after vaccination can be especially common in the Vaccination against rotavirus occur. However, other vaccinations can cause similar symptoms. Diarrhea is very common in babies in general. In the case of vaccination, a weakened immune reaction can occur, which can cause diarrhea. You may experience other symptoms after vaccination Pain at the injection site or a short fever be. Some vaccinations are also symptom-free. In the event of diarrhea, always ensure that there is sufficient fluid. However, if the diarrhea does not improve after a few days or if new symptoms such as vomiting, fever or fatigue / tiredness appear, a doctor should be consulted. A doctor should also be consulted immediately in the case of dehydration, which can be recognized by sunken eyes with dark circles, weakness, no urine in the diaper or standing skin folds. In most cases, however, diarrhea is infection-related and can happen randomly at the time of vaccination regardless of vaccination.
If you want to know more about the topic click here: Vaccinations in the baby
Diarrhea while teething
Teething in babies is sometimes an uncomfortable situation. There may be pain in the mouth or an increase in temperature. During teething, the children are often restless and salivate more often. However, there is no connection between teething and diarrhea. It is not entirely clear why diarrhea occurs more frequently during teething. What is certain, however, is that a virus is almost always responsible for diarrhea. The most important thing to do with diarrhea is to keep hydrated. In addition to tea, mineral water or chicken broth should definitely be given here, as valuable electrolytes can be supplied. If the child begins to lose fluids or if the child feels unwell with a high temperature, a doctor should be consulted immediately.
If you want to know more about this topic, click here: Diarrhea during teething and Teething in the baby
Symptoms
It is not always easy to reliably identify diarrhea in babies as such. So one can only speak of diarrhea if the stool is watery, which occurs more than four times in 24 hours.
Accompanying symptoms such as fever and vomiting as well as blood in the stool suggest the presence of an infectious disease.
Because diarrhea can quickly lead to dehydration in babies, watch out for signs such as dry mouth and pale skin and see a doctor if necessary.
If the diarrhea occurs in isolation without any accompanying symptoms, it may be that it is simply a food intolerance, which, however, should also be clarified by a doctor.
Also read our topic: Defecation in the baby
Green chair
In addition to the consistency, frequency, and smell of the stool, its color can also provide an indication of the cause of the diarrhea. Green diarrhea in babies can have several causes.
The baby's first bowel movement, which is formed before birth, is usually blackish green. However, this viscous stool, also known as meconium, is normal. The reason for the color is a high proportion of a breakdown product of the red blood pigment.
In later development, green stools can be caused by a bacterial infection as well as medication. In children who are fed bottle-fed food, greenish stools may be normal.
Read more on the topic: Green stool in the baby Green diarrhea
diagnosis
To find out what is the cause of the diarrhea, you can use different diagnostic methods are used.
Often the detailed one is enough anamnese and physical examination off, one Suspected diagnosis deliver.
Only when the treatment does not strike or a strong one Dehydration If there is a threat, a detailed diagnostics.
Here you can Stool exams and in rare cases imaging examinations (Ultrasound, MRI) are used. Different Testing show whether a Food intolerance is responsible for the cause of the diarrhea.
How to recognize diarrhea in the baby
By definition, one speaks of diarrhea more than three bowel movements a day, with a Liquid content of more than 75%. So the stool is very watery. The most common cause of acute diarrhea is infection. In childhood, these are often Noroviruses. The difference between diarrhea and a liquid, so-called “nursing chair”, can be recognized by the following abnormalities: The stool of a baby suffering from an infection usually has one different smellthan normal bowel movements. The gases produced by the bacteria give the stool an unpleasant odor. Also, diarrhea goes with recurring Abdominal cramps, also called tenesmen. Since the intestine tries to get rid of the pathogen as quickly as possible, it cramps and thus shortens the intestinal passage through increased work. On the one hand, this leads to cramp-like pain increased screaming can go hand in hand, on the other hand, this leads to an increased stool frequency. This means that the diaper is filled more often than usual.
You can find out more about this topic here: Baby abdominal pain - what is it? and cramps in the abdomen
In addition, it can cause diarrhea caused by infection elevated temperatures come. These can range from a slight temperature increase of 38.5 ° C to over 40 ° C. The fever can come with Paracetamol or Ibuprofen be lowered. It should be noted that these drugs have different maximum and single doses in different age groups.
Read more about the topic here: What to do if your baby has a fever
In addition to diarrhea, infections of the gastrointestinal tract can also occur Vomit come.
treatment
The cornerstone of the treatment of diarrhea is first of all to ensure adequate fluid intake. If this is done, most diarrheal diseases in babies will heal without any consequences after a few days, without the need for further medical measures.
In order not to overwhelm the digestive tract, food intake should first be interrupted. Water, as well as diluted tea, are good ways to normalize the fluid balance. Since minerals are also lost with the liquid stool, the liquid can be enriched with a little electrolyte powder. It is essential to ensure the correct dosage.
Babies who are still breastfed or who are receiving bottled milk can continue to drink their normal milk. Switching should be avoided during diarrhea in order to avoid food intolerances. In addition, these babies should also be given tea beverages.
Loss of appetite is a common symptom of diarrhea and shouldn't be alarming at first. Only if the condition persists should a pediatrician be asked for advice. As a rule, as the disease subsides, a normal appetite develops.
A careful diet is recommended in order not to overwhelm the digestive tract. It is recommended to start eating 4-6 hours after rehydration in order to regenerate the damaged cells in the intestine. Breast milk, bottled milk and possibly high-carbohydrate foods such as bread, pasta, potatoes or rice are generally recommended.
If the baby's fluid situation worsens or other symptoms such as vomiting, fever or seizures occur, a doctor should definitely be consulted. He can make the correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy.
Drug therapy is usually not necessary, even in the presence of an infectious bowel disease in children.
Only a few diarrheal diseases require drug therapy. Before initiating these therapies, the underlying cause of the diarrhea should be determined.
Also read: Duration of diarrhea
Medication
Diarrheal diseases in babies are usually self-limiting, so they heal on their own without the administration of medication. In individual cases, however, it can make sense to administer medication in addition to symptomatic therapy for the disease.
Very severe infectious diarrhea in babies from 3 months of age can be associated with a so-called Anti-secretion agents (Racecadotril) be treated. According to various studies, this remedy can significantly reduce the duration of the illness and the amount of liquid stool.
A treatment with Antibiotics is not necessary for most diarrheal diseases and is not recommended from a medical point of view. Exceptions are few infections with certain bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholera, Entamoeba histolytica, Gardia lamblia) represent.
Even if the sick babies are young Premature babies or immunocompromised children the use of antibiotics may be necessary.
Home remedies for diarrhea in babies
The most important measure for diarrhea is Hydration. Children in particular tend to become dehydrated if they have a long-term diarrheal illness. The liquid should mainly be in the form of Water and tea be included. However, it should be noted that in addition to the dehydration also a Electrolyte loss threatens. The electrolyte loss can be with Mineral water and salty food e.g. Pretzel sticks, bent forward. Tea provides rehydration but provides no electrolytes. If dehydration progresses, which can be recognized by a dry diaper without urine, sunken eyes with dark circles and standing skin folds a doctor should be consulted immediately.
You can find out more about this topic here: Dehydration - How Do You Know If You Are Dehydrated?
Diet also plays an important role. During the acute phase of diarrhea, a diet rich in salt should be added gentle food be respected. That is, the diet should be possible low fat and easily digestible be. Simple carbohydrates are recommended here, such as Potatoes and rice. Bananas too are recommended as these are one chair thickening effect to have. Vegetable broth is easy to digest and also provides electrolytes. After the diarrhea subsides, there is a high-glucose food Recommended for the regeneration of the intestinal villi.
Homeopathy / globules
Even if a scientific proof of effectiveness could not be provided so far, the treatment is with homeopathic remedies also increasingly popular with babies. Depending on root cause, Concomitant symptoms such as odor, colour and consistency different remedies are often recommended.
Popular means are, for example Arsenicum album, Ipecacuanha or Veratrum album. In any case, in addition to the administration of these homeopathic remedies, one should also adequate hydration be respected.
If the condition deteriorates and / or other symptoms occur, a doctor should be consulted.
nutrition
Depending on the age of the baby, different recommendations for eating in connection with diarrheal diseases can be made.
Babies, which Breast milk or Bottled milk drink, they should continue to be given additional fluids.
A Loss of appetite is normal in the context of diarrheal disease and therefore no cause for alarm.
Four to six hours after the start of the Rehydration however, the baby should start eating again in order to regenerate the damaged cells of the intestine.
Carbohydrate-based foods such as bread, potatoes, pasta or rice are suitable for children who were used to complementary foods (all foods except milk, e.g. porridge) even before the illness. Sweet and fruity dishes should be avoided.
Treatment of the sore bottom
A very common accompanying symptom with diarrhea in babies is a sore bottom.
Reason for the Skin irritation is usually that the skin around the bottom is moist for a long time. This makes them sensitive to mechanical irritation and one follows local inflammatory reaction. That too constant cleaning can favor a sore bottom.
To prevent and treat the sore bottom, the area should be dry held and the skin good groomed become. Healing ointments and powder can help to take good care of the skin with a sore bottom. Also so-called Tanning lotions help well with a sore bottom caused by diarrhea.
If the inflammation spreads and the skin begins to wet, a treating pediatrician should be seen if necessary.
When should you go to the doctor?
Diarrhea in babies is common self-limiting and need except one symptomatic therapy no medical treatment.
Nevertheless, it can be useful to see a pediatrician so that he can Determine the reason for the diarrhea and possibly one appropriate therapy can initiate.
This is the case, for example, if the diarrhea with symptoms such as Vomit, fever, severe pain, one hard abdominal wall, bloody stool or Seizures accompanied.
Even if the affected baby apathetic acts and signs like a dry mouth or pale skin on one Dehydration a visit to a doctor is advisable.
forecast
Duration of the diarrheal illness
Diarrhea in babies can develop very differently, even with the same pathogen. The average duration of diarrhea in babies is between two and seven days. Especially when one Food intolerance is present, the diarrhea can also just sporadically occur or for very long Time. In any case, it is advisable to see a doctor for clarification.
The younger the baby, the sooner the diarrheal illness should pass. The stool may take a long time to improve during treatment.
A careful diet can help reduce the length of soft stools.
How long is it contagious?
Depending on the underlying cause, the baby's stool and saliva are contagious to other people. It should therefore be on a adequate hygiene Care should be taken after changing the diaper so that other people do not also contract the infectious disease.
Particularly immunocompromised people should be warned in advance and avoid contact with the sick baby if necessary.
The infection usually lasts until the frequency and consistency of the stool has normalized.
