Understanding Acute Gastroenteritis in Infants and Young Children

TSMH | Pediatric Series | Understanding Acute Gastroenteritis in Infants and Young Children | date：2023-01/01

What is Acute Gastroenteritis in Infants and Young Children:

Gastroenteritis is one of the common diseases in infants and young children. It is mainly caused by bacterial or viral infection. In bacterial gastroenteritis, the most common infections are salmonella and Escherichia coli. In viral gastroenteritis, rotavirus infection is the most common, which prevails in autumn and winter, while other viruses such as adenovirus and norovirus are also common. The course of the disease usually takes about a week to naturally relieve, but in more severe cases, symptoms may last up to two weeks. It is important to be aware of complications such as bloody or mucus stools, intestinal perforation, or peritonitis.

Clinical Symptoms:

Typical symptoms are vomiting or diarrhea, often accompanied by abdominal pain, fever, bloating or loss of appetite. Mild cases can recover in a few days, while severe cases can cause dehydration, hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalances, and a small percentage may lead to life-threatening complications such as intestinal obstruction, seizures, or sepsis.

Warning signs:

• Severe diarrhea or vomiting.
• Blood streaks and mucus in the stool.
• Persistent abdominal pain.
• High fever that does not subside, poor activity or altered consciousness.

The appearance of these danger signals can easily lead to complications such as bowel obstruction, intestinal perforation, sepsis, meningitis, etc., and requires special attention.

Care methods:

• Monitor for signs of dehydration, such as reduced urine output, decreased frequency of diaper changes, dry cracked lips, absence of tears when crying, dry and non-elastic skin, sunken fontanelle or lethargy. Seek medical attention promptly if any of these signs are present.
• Keep the buttocks clean and dry, and watch for signs of diaper rash. After each bowel movement, clean the buttocks with warm water and pat dry with a tissue, wiping from front to back to avoid spreading bacteria and causing urinary tract infection. If diaper rash occurs, apply medication as prescribed by a physician.
• If there is abdominal pain or bloating, use medication as prescribed by a doctor or gently massage the abdomen in a clockwise direction to relieve gas, avoiding the area around the navel. If the child's condition is unstable, the doctor may insert a nasogastric or rectal tube to relieve pressure in the intestines and prevent rupture.
• Caregivers should pay attention to hand hygiene for both themselves and the sick child, especially after handling excreta, to avoid cross-infection.
• Keep the child's toys and personal items (such as pacifiers) clean and dry to avoid cross-infection.
• Pay attention to household hygiene and food cleanliness to prevent mosquito and fly breeding.

Dietary guidance:

• A light diet is recommended, avoiding oily and overly sweet foods such as cakes and fruit juice. Infants and young children should be fed with lactose-free or half strength formula milk. Alternatively, they can be fed with supplementary foods such as plain rice, toast, and apples. If breastfed, cleanliness of the nipples should be ensured before feeding. brewed half milk.
• Adequate hydration and electrolyte replacement can be achieved with special oral rehydration solutions.
• If there is no severe diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, abdominal distension, or crying, irritability, With the permission of the doctor, you can try to eat rice soup, white porridge, white toast or white noodles, Eat small meals often, and then gradually increase food intake after symptoms improve.
• When the diarrhea improves, try other non-greasy foods, such as: steamed fish or chicken breast. Vegetables and fruits can be eaten in small amounts and chewed slowly. For sick children whose main food is milk, they can be fed with small meals.