Diarrhea is a common problem in children, especially those under 2 years old. Studies have found that this group of children experiences diarrhea 5-6 times per year. The cause is viral infection in 50-60% of cases and bacterial infection in 30%. The rest are caused by other factors such as food poisoning. The characteristics of stool in children with diarrhea can indicate the cause, and if additional laboratory tests are performed, the pathogen can be identified, allowing for more accurate and appropriate treatment in the next steps.
What is diarrhea?
Diarrhea means passing loose stools 3 times or more, or passing watery stools more than once in a day. Additionally, if stool contains mucus or blood even once, it is also considered diarrhea.
How does diarrhea occur?
Diarrhea occurs from consuming food or drinking water contaminated with pathogens. This contamination mostly happens due to…
- Not washing hands properly with soap after using the toilet, before cooking, or before eating
- Children who suck or chew their fingers and put objects from the floor into their mouths
- Getting infected from mixing milk using water that is not boiled or bottles that are not sterilized or not washing hands
- Eating food that has been stored overnight or has flies on it
- Drinking unclean water that has not been filtered or boiled
- Eating raw vegetables or fruits that have not been washed properly before eating
Is a breastfed baby who stools 5-6 times a day considered to have diarrhea?
Infants who are exclusively breastfed usually pass loose, golden-yellow, bubbly stools with a sour smell but without mucus or blood. Even if they stool frequently, feeding and stooling alternately, if the baby is gaining weight well, it is not considered diarrhea.
Care when a child has diarrhea
When a child has diarrhea or vomiting, they may become dehydrated and lose electrolytes. Caregivers should try to ensure the child gets enough fluids. Initially, give small amounts of ORS (oral rehydration salts) or electrolyte solution frequently. If the child can drink well without vomiting, after about 4 hours of ORS, start giving breast milk or formula in small amounts or plain boiled rice or plain porridge. If the child tolerates it and improves, gradually increase the type and amount of food. If the child vomits frequently, passes large amounts of watery stool, is weak, has a high fever, urinates less, or has mucus or blood in stool, the child should be taken to a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Should anti-diarrheal medicine be given to children?
Children should not take anti-diarrheal medicine because although it stops bowel movements, the diarrhea is not truly cured. Watery stool remains trapped in the intestines, which can cause bloating and may lead to serious complications, especially in children under 1 year old.
How can we prevent diarrhea?
- Breastfeed your child because breast milk is clean and contains immunity against diarrhea
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap after using the toilet and before cooking or eating every time
- Eat freshly cooked food and drink clean water
- Eliminate fly breeding sites; household garbage should be disposed of in covered bins daily
- Always flush stool into the toilet
- Store food to prevent flies from landing on it or keep it in the refrigerator to slow down pathogen growth
