What is the cause of diarrhea in children?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on September 18, 2024
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Childhood diarrhea is divided into infectious diarrhea and non-infectious diarrhea, with the common type in children being infectious diarrhea, which includes rotavirus enteritis, bacterial enteritis, and bacterial dysentery, among others, with rotavirus enteritis being the most common. It is characterized by watery diarrhea or "egg-flower" style diarrhea. It is also accompanied by dry mouth, reduced urine output, and some can have symptoms such as vomiting and fever. Similarly, bacterial diarrhea can also present with vomiting, fever, and other symptoms. Other types of diarrhea, such as allergic diarrhea, commonly occur from milk allergies, and there are cases of lactose intolerance that also result in diarrhea. Therefore, there are many causes of childhood diarrhea, and each case should be analyzed specifically.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Child diarrhea test items

Pediatric diarrhea is a common disease in children characterized by an increase in stool frequency and specific stool shapes, caused by multiple pathogens and factors. Common tests for children with diarrhea start with routine stool tests. Stool culture is meaningful for identifying the pathogens causing diarrhea, and the latex agglutination test has diagnostic value for viral gastroenteritis. The stool-reducing sugar test primarily assesses malabsorption of disaccharides, lactose intolerance, etc. Counting and classifying white blood cells mainly clarify the presence of bacterial infections. Since diarrhea often accompanies electrolyte disturbances and dehydration, biochemical blood tests are necessary, and sometimes, X-rays of the abdominal plain film, ultrasound, endoscopy, and other examinations are needed.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
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How many days will it take for a child's diarrhea to get better?

Children's diarrhea can be divided into viral diarrhea and bacterial enteritis. Viral diarrhea, most commonly rotavirus enteritis, follows a specific disease course, where most cases gradually recover after 5-7 days with rehydration and symptomatic treatment. If it is bacterial enteritis, effective anti-infection treatment with sensitive antibiotics can also control the symptoms within 5-7 days. Additionally, some diarrheas caused by bacterial dysentery generally require 7-14 days of treatment, and fungal enteritis also typically needs one to two weeks of treatment.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What are the symptoms of diarrhea in children?

When children experience diarrhea, it is defined by an increased frequency of bowel movements and changes in the stool's consistency, which might appear as watery, mushy, or mucus-filled. The mucus may contain blood streaks. Additionally, children may exhibit systemic symptoms including persistent fever accompanied by nausea and vomiting, while the frequency of bowel movements noticeably increases, and the fever may present as persistent high temperature. Due to frequent episodes of diarrhea, the child might show signs of dehydration such as poor skin elasticity, sunken eye sockets, and if not yet closed, a sunken fontanelle. The skin can be particularly dry, and the child may have reduced urine production. In cases of severe diarrhea, the child may also appear lethargic or drowsy and show signs of circulatory collapse.

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What formula should a child with diarrhea eat?

When a child experiences diarrhea, it indicates that there is an abnormality in their gastrointestinal function, and their ability to absorb nutrients is significantly weakened. If the child is fed ordinary formula, it might overburden their stomach and intestines, making digestion difficult and possibly exacerbating the diarrhea symptoms. Therefore, when a child has diarrhea, it is advisable to choose foods or formulas that are easy to digest. During periods of diarrhea, it is generally recommended for children to consume a special formula designed for infants with diarrhea. This formula is easier to absorb and helps in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, making it suitable for children with diarrhea.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Is it normal for a child with diarrhea to just sleep?

Infant diarrhea accompanied by excessive sleep is often abnormal. Generally speaking, diarrhea can lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. In this case, the primary focus should be on rehydration to maintain electrolyte balance, adjusting the gut flora, and using some antidiarrheal medications for additional treatment.If the baby is only sleeping, it often indicates dehydration or symptoms of electrolyte imbalance. Under these circumstances, it is crucial to go to a hospital to check for any imbalance in electrolytes, acidosis, etc., and provide timely symptomatic treatment.