What causes diarrhea in children? What are the symptoms of diarrhea in children? Diarrhea and fever are among the most common diseases in children. Acute diarrhea is the most common infectious disease in children aged 0-5 years. It is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Especially the ones that are caused by the virus are self-healing. Here, we will explain the diarrhea causes in children in the following text.
Diarrhea in Children Causes
Viral infection: Viruses such as rotavirus, adenovirus, norovirus, and astrovirus can cause diarrhea.
Bacterial infection: If your child has a stomach infection (gastroenteritis) caused by bacteria (salmonella, E. coli, campylobacter, or staphylococcus), abdominal cramps, blood in the stool, sometimes vomiting, and high fever may occur. Most bacterial infections heal spontaneously, but an infection can be very serious. If you observe these symptoms in your child, always consult a doctor. Your doctor will examine your child, take a stool sample, and apply the right treatment according to the type of bacteria.
Ear infection: In some cases, a viral or bacterial ear infection can cause diarrhea. It is more common in children younger than two years. In this case, your child may have diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.
Antibiotics: If your child has diarrhea during or after antibiotic use, the drug may have killed good bacteria in the intestine along with infectious bacteria.
Parasites: Some parasitic infections may cause diarrhea. For example, Giardiasis is caused by a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestine. Such infections are more easily spread in environments where children are grouped (kindergarten, kindergarten, school) and require a doctor-controlled treatment.
Too much fruit juice: Fruit juice (especially sorbitol-containing varieties) or too much-sugared drinks can cause diarrhea. Reducing the amount of water your child drinks solves the problem within a week. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that you not give your child more than one glass of juice a day.
Diarrhea in Kids Symptoms
- Nausea,
- Vomiting,
- Abdominal pain,
- Fever,
- Loss of appetite,
- Fatigue
It is essential to feed the child experiencing diarrhea. Foods such as potatoes, rice, whole wheat, and rice porridge should be included in the diet of children who are fed with non-fiber foods. Contrary to common knowledge, giving vegetables during this period is not correct because they contain high pulp.
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Breast Milk Protects Babies from Diarrhea
The substances contained in breast milk protect infants fed breast milk from infections that can cause diarrhea. If diarrhea develops in case of breastfeeding, the baby should continue breastfeeding and even breastfeed more often. If the baby is being fed with food, water should be boiled, and baby bottles and teats should be sterilized.
