Pediatric diarrhea bacterial infections are most commonly seen in what?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on October 24, 2024
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Pediatric diarrhea is a condition caused by various causes and factors, mainly characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in stool characteristics. A portion of this condition is caused by bacterial infections, particularly in the summer when enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli gastroenteritis is a likely cause. In such cases, children may experience vomiting, persistent diarrhea, and severe dehydration. Additionally, if the child's stool contains mucus and pus, or is a pus-blood stool, it is generally considered to be caused by bacterial dysentery bacilli. If the stool is jam-like with more blood and less stool, amoebic dysentery should be considered. Other invasive bacterial infections, such as invasive E. coli gastroenteritis, jejunal Campylobacter gastroenteritis, or Salmonella gastroenteritis, are also common bacterial infections.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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How should pediatric diarrhea be treated?

For childhood diarrhea, initially probiotics can be administered to adjust the intestinal flora, commonly used probiotics include Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus acidophilus. Next, it's important to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa, for which oral smectite powder can be given. Additionally, diarrhea can easily damage the gastrointestinal mucosa, so it's appropriate to supplement with zinc or folic acid to promote the repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is also important to ensure fluid replenishment to maintain hydroelectrolytic balance, commonly using oral rehydration salts which can replenish both fluids and electrolytes. Attention should also be paid to the child’s mental response and urinary output.

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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 Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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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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Clinical manifestations of childhood diarrhea

Pediatric diarrhea is caused by a variety of pathogens and factors, characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in the characteristics of stools. It is one of the most common diseases in infants and young children in China, with a high incidence in infants and young children from six months to two years old, half of which are under one year old. It is one of the main causes of malnutrition and growth and development disorders in children. Diarrhea has some common manifestations, including loss of appetite, occasional regurgitation or vomiting, increased frequency of bowel movements, watery or thin stools that are yellow or yellow-green, some with a sour smell. In severe cases of diarrhea, it is important to check for dehydration and electrolyte disorders, as well as symptoms of systemic infection and intoxication, such as fever, irritability or lethargy, drowsiness, pale complexion, and even coma and shock.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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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.