Treating diarrhoea in children

The most common cause of diarrhoea in children is a viral infection, such as in gastroenteritis. Like vomiting, diarrhoea can go along with many infections, both bacterial and viral. Less commonly, it might be a sign of a more serious illness such as appendicitis. Chronic or persistent diarrhoea might follow a bout of gastroenteritis. In […]

The most common cause of diarrhoea in children is a viral infection, such as in gastroenteritis. Like vomiting, diarrhoea can go along with many infections, both bacterial and viral. Less commonly, it might be a sign of a more serious illness such as appendicitis.

Chronic or persistent diarrhoea might follow a bout of gastroenteritis. In this case, the diarrhoea might be caused by lactose intolerance. During a bout of gastro, the lining of the bowel wall is temporarily damaged, so that it can’t absorb complex sugars, including lactose, which is a part of milk. Lactose intolerance causes watery, often sweet-smelling diarrhoea, which might burn your child’s bottom.

Dr Dominic Umaru, a consultant paediatrician with Federal Capital Authority, Abuja says the child who has gastro- dysentery can have diarrhoea, the child who has pneumonia/meningitis can have diahorriea, hence the medical officer must take the medical history of the child and establish the problem before treating the diaherroa.

The following signs indicate that your child has diarrhea: stomach contents or diarrhoea with blood or bile in them-bile is a bright yellow green colour, severe abdominal pain, strenuous, repeated vomiting, swollen abdomen, lethargy or severe irritability, convulsions or seizures, inability to drink adequate amounts of fluid.

One of the ways you can treat diarrhoea in children is by preventing dehydration. It is important to prevent dehydration. Make sure your child drinks plenty of fluids when they are sick (even though they may not be thirsty) such as an oral rehydration solution. Nursing mothers should continue to breastfeed. If your child is suffering from diarrhoea, avoid sugar-based beverages such as sports drinks or juices. The sugar can draw water into the intestines and away from the rest of the body, making the diarrhoea worse and increasing the risk of dehydration. Additionally, these beverages may not contain electrolytes that need to be replenished.

If your child is very dehydrated, he might need fluids to be given intravenously (directly into the vein) or through a tube that goes up his nose and into his stomach. In this case, he’ll have to go into hospital.

For diarrhoea associated with lactose intolerance, use a lactose-free milk (unless your child is still breastfed) until the diarrhoea improves. This condition usually sorts itself out within a few weeks as the lining of the bowel wall heals.

However, Dr. Dominic Umaru says the intake of oral hydration solution may not be enough. “Most causes of gastroenteritis are due to bacteria, in this case you may need to introduce antibiotics, oral hydration therapy may not suffice. If a child has dysentery, you must involve micro nutrients supplementation like zinc. Zinc reduces the frequencies, volume, and duration of diarrhoea,” Dr. Umaru says.

Zinc is an essential mineral that is naturally present in some foods, added to others, and available as a dietary supplement. Red meat, poultry, seafood such as crab and lobsters, fortified breakfast cereals, beans are good sources of zinc.

Experts have advised parents from giving their children certain things when they have diarrhea.Do not give your child sugary drinks such as: fruit juice or sweetened fruit drinks, carbonated drinks or sweetened tea. These have the wrong amounts of water, salts and sugar and can make your child’s diarrhoea worse.

Again, if your child is having frequent diarrhoea, do not offer plain water. Drinking only water may lead to low blood sugar or low sodium levels in your child’s blood.

Proper hand washing and safe food handling are the most important ways to prevent the spread of germs that cause diarrhoea. Statistics has shown that diarrhoea is the third cause of infant death in Nigeria.