CHILD’S HEALTH/BOWEL DISORDERS: GASTROENTERITIS
Posted on May 21, 2009, under General health.
Gastroenteritis is a common condition in children of all ages. It causes diarrhea and occasionally vomiting. The entire illness may last for up to 10 days. In most cases it is of limited duration and no medication is required.
Cause
Gastroenteritis is caused by a virus that infects the bowel and causes inflammation which leads to diarrhoea and vomiting.
Clinical features
Gastroenteritis is common in babies and toddlers, and is characterised by the sudden onset of diarrhoea, accompanied by vomiting and abdominal cramps. If adequate fluid intake is not kept up, there is a risk rhat the child will become dehydrated.
Treatment
Do not give medicines to stop diarrhoea and vomiting — they do not help at all and can have significant side effects in children. Similarly, do not give antibiotics of any kind — the commonest cause of gastroenteritis is a virus, which does not respond to antibiotics.
When to see your doctor
• if your child has a lot of diarrhoea (8-10 watery stools, or 2-3 very large stools per day);
• if vomiting is frequent and your child seems unable to keep any fluids down;
• if your child appears to be dehydrated — not passing urine, pale and thin, sunken eyes, cold hands and feet, drowsiness • if your child develops severe abdominal pain.
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