What are the causes of infant diarrhea?

What are the main causes of diarrhea in infants?  What are the symptoms that can be experienced in such cases?

Diarrhea is a common disease in infants and is caused by the weakness of its digestive system and its incomplete and mature functions in proportion to the increased food intake for the child, which is necessary for his growth and development.

What are the main causes of diarrhea in infants?

 Causes of diarrhea in infants

 Among the main causes of diarrhea in infants are the following:

 1. The most common causes of diarrhea in infants

 The most common causes of diarrhea in infants are digestive infections, which are caused by pathogens entering the digestive system of the child by:

 Contaminated foods such as vegetables that have not been washed thoroughly with soap and water.

 Unsterilized feeding bottles or milk prepared long before it is given to the baby.

 The child transfers germs to his mouth with his hands or toys that are contaminated or placed in a dirty place.

 The mother should also wash her hands well before preparing milk or food for the child, and the breast and nipple must be cleaned continuously in the case of breastfeeding.

 2. Less common causes of diarrhea in infants

 They are as follows:

•  Inflammation of the tonsils, pharynx or ears in a child.

•  Changing the baby's milk or food or introducing additional foods such as vegetables, fruits and flour (when we are not gradually introducing them).

•  Weather changes, especially if the child is exposed to the cold.

 Infant diarrhea symptoms

 When the baby’s stool is liquid and soft (almost like water) and sanitary napkins absorb a large part of the liquid stool, then some residues remain. We must also differentiate between diarrhea and normal stools. In a child who is breast-fed from his mother’s breast, his stools are soft and yellow in color, but  It never becomes liquid like water.

•  Initial treatment for infant diarrhea

•  The following rules must be followed:

•  Milk should be stopped immediately and rehydration-compensating fluids should be given alternately with water.

•  It is recommended to use rice water and carrot soup.

•  Diarrhea usually stops after a full day of this treatment, as we introduce milk again gradually and in proportion to the return of the child's stool to its normal consistency.

 When should you consult a doctor?

These are the cases of diarrhea in which you should immediately consult a doctor:

•  Diarrhea in a baby who is less than three months old.

 Diarrhea accompanied by the appearance of some danger signs, which are:

•  Severe diarrhea, recurring every hour.

•  The poor general condition of the child, as he becomes pale in color, in addition to the lack of muscle strength in his limbs, dry mouth, and a strong tendency to sleep.

•  severe vomiting

•  Low temperature of the child due to diarrhoea.

•  Severe colic, where the child screams in pain.

•  Low weight.