Diarrhea in Children

DEFINITION

Diarrhea is a very common problem in children. Diarrhea is a pattern of frequent bowel movements and not solid, which is different from the normal pattern of the child. Sometimes diarrhea can also contain blood or mucus.

The number and consistency of bowel movements varies between each child, depending on age and food intake. For example, infants who received breast milk and not eat solid foods are often frequent bowel movements with stools is not solid, but the situation is still normal. Increased frequency of bowel movements and changes in density becomes more liquid stool could indicate diarrhea in these infants. However, watery diarrhea that occurs for more than 24 hours is never a normal condition.

CAUSE

Acute diarrhea (lasting less than 2 weeks) is usually caused by:

· Infectious gastroenteritis, usually due to a virus, but it can also be caused by bacteria or parasites.

· Food poisoning

· The use of certain antibiotics that disrupt the intestinal bacteria

· Food allergies

Acute diarrhea can also be caused by more serious disorders, such as appendicitis (appendicitis) or the entry of intestinal segments to other segments of the intestine (intussusception). But, on a more serious disorder, there are other symptoms besides the more alarming diarrhea, for example, severe abdominal pain, presence of blood during bowel movements, and fever.

Chronic diarrhea (occurring more than 2 weeks) may result from:

· Dietary factors, such as lactose intolerance or eating too much of certain foods

· Infection, especially by parasites

· Disease celiak

· Inflammatory bowel disease

· Impaired absorption of food, for example, in cystic fibrosis

· A weakened immune system, for example, in AIDS or the use of certain drugs

Sometimes diarrhea can also be caused by constipation. When the hardened feces accumulate in the rectum, then soft stool can seep out of them and soiling in children's clothing.

SYMPTOMS

Children with diarrhea can be loss of appetite, vomiting, weight loss, or fever. If severe diarrhea occurs or continues for a long time, then the child at risk for dehydration. Infants and children can become dehydrated more quickly than adults, sometimes in less than 1 day. Severe dehydration in children can cause seizures, brain damage, and death.

Some of the symptoms to look out for:

· signs of dehydration, such as decreased urine output, the child becomes weak or lethargic, crying without the tears, become very thirsty, sunken eyes and a dry mouth

· child looks ill

· the presence of blood in the stool

· abdominal pain and more severe when touched

· bleeding in the skin (appears as spots or patches of reddish purple)

Children who experience the above symptoms should be immediately taken to the doctor, as well as children with diarrhea lasting more than 3-4 times and do not drink or just drink a little.

If the child does not have any alarming symptoms above and can drink well, and urinate normally, then the diarrhea must be monitored. If diarrhea persists up to 2 days or more, or if it occurs 6-8 times a day, children still need to be taken to the doctor.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis is based on symptoms and medical history available. Keep in mind what foods commonly consumed by children, whether children using certain antibiotics, whether before consuming food contaminated or possibly contaminated, whether there is contact with animals recently, and a history of travel to certain areas.

Physical examination is needed to help find the cause and also see if the child has diarrhea dehidarsi. Growth children also need to be evaluated.

There are various checks are also carried out if the child has signs to look out. If the child has signs of dehydration, it is necessary to do blood tests to measure levels of electrolytes (mineral body). If there are other signs to look out, it can do a complete blood count, urine examination, examination and analysis of stool, abdominal x-rays, or a combination of the examination.

TREATMENT

The specific cause of diarrhea must be addressed, for example, if a child has celiac disease, the gluten-containing foods should be eliminated from the daily food intake. Antibiotics that cause diarrhea should be discontinued under consideration doctor. Gastroenteritis caused by a virus can get better by itself.

Medicines to stop diarrhea, such as loperamide, are not recommended for infants and children.

Dehydration

The important thing to consider when children with diarrhea are signs of dehydration. Most children with diarrhea successfully treated with oral fluids. Fluids are given by mouth should contain sodium and carbohydrates are balanced, for example ORS. Sports drinks, soda, juices and other similar drinks should not be used because it contains very little sodium and too many carbohydrates.

If the child is also vomiting, then the fluid can initially be given a little but often. Usually given 1 teaspoon every 5 minutes. If the child can take it, then the amount of liquid increased gradually. With patience and encouragement, most children can get enough fluids through the mouth, so it does not need to be infused. Fluids should be given through a vein (intravenous drip) if the child can not drink or severe dehydration.

Intake Eating

As soon as the child is not getting enough fluids and vomiting, they should be given appropriate food, for example, babies can melajutkan get breast milk or formula.

PREVENTION

Generally, an infection that causes diarrhea, is highly contagious. Most cases of diarrhea can be contagious to others. Diarrhea infection can be spread through:

· dirty hands

· food or water contaminated

· several pets

· direct contact with the materials exposed to dirt diarrhea (eg dirty diapers or toilet)

Everything that contain infectious germs need to watch out because it can contaminate, such as children's toys, a diaper changing table, toilet surfaces, even the hands of people who care for children who have diarrhea. Children can be infected by touching contaminated objects are then put their fingers into their mouths.

Although it is almost impossible to prevent the child did not ever get an infection that causes diarrhea, but there are some things that can be done to reduce the chances of children with diarrhea:

Make sure children wash their hands properly and frequently, especially after using the toilet and before eating. Washing hands is the most effective way to prevent diarrheal infection from person to person. Dirty hands contain infectious germs can enter the body when a child is biting his nails, thumb sucking, eating by hand, or insert a finger or hand into the mouth parts.

Keeping the surface of the pan clean to help prevent the spread of infectious germs.

Washing fruits and vegetables well before eating, since food and water also can contain infectious germs.

Wash the kitchen and cooking tools well after exposure to raw danging, especially poultry products.

As soon as possible keep meat in the refrigerator after I got home. Cook the meat until completely cooked and no longer pink. After the meal, immediately save all the food left in the fridge.

Never drink water directly lakes or rivers. It's safer to drink water that has been cooked, rather than directly from the source of drinking water that has not been processed. Be careful when buying food or drink from roadside vendors.

Do not clean pet cages or feed the animals at the place where the washing the same as that used to prepare food.

Keep a pet to eat (especially reptiles) from the family meal.

REFERENCE

- B, Eleana P. Diarrhea. Kids Health. 2013.

- C, Deborah M. Diarrhea in Children. Merck Manual Home Health Handbook. 2013.

- K, Neil K. Diarrhe in Children. Medline Plus. 2011.

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Diarrhea in Children

Posted by Healthy Natural Life on Saturday, November 11, 2017