Definition
Diarrhea is generally defined as the discharge of stool that is too liquid. Depending on the severity and trigger of the diarrhea, this can be of long or short duration. A precise definition of diarrhea is often difficult to obtain, as the amount and consistency of stool considered normal can vary greatly from person to person, both subjectively and objectively.
In infants, frequencies of thin stool with more than 75% water content more than three times a day are considered pathological. Diarrhea can be caused by many different diseases. However, the most common cause of diarrhoea in small children is an infection by bacteria or viruses. Nevertheless, diarrhoea usually runs easily and heals by itself without further action. A severe or long-lasting diarrhea can become threatening, especially for children, due to the high loss of fluids and electrolytes and requires drug therapy.
Causes
The most common trigger for diarrhea in small children is an intestinal infection caused by viruses or bacteria. Primarily the rotavirus and the norovirus, but also the group of adenoviruses, which are very infectious, should be mentioned here. They are transmitted primarily by smear infections, whereby they reach the hands by touching dirty objects and surfaces on which the viruses are present.
Especially frequently used everyday objects such as door handles, light switches and taps are ideal places for these viruses and pathogens in general to spread. Not only, but especially with small children, they easily get into the mouth and from there into the gastrointestinal tract. On the other hand, food also represents a possible source of infection with viruses.
In the case of food infections, however, infections with bacteria in particular play a greater role. These can either cause diarrhoea directly as a result of an infection, or they can cause diarrhoea solely through the bacterial toxins they produce, in which case we speak of food poisoning. In particular the bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli), various types of Salmonella and Campylobacter jejuni, which are found in spoiled or incorrectly stored food, play a role in this.
Finally, drugs or food intolerance can also be responsible for diarrhoea in young children. In small children, intolerances to basic foods such as cereal products (or the protein gluten contained in them), the lactose contained in milk products and chicken protein are of particular importance. With regard to medicines that cause diarrhoea in small children, antibiotics are particularly worthy of mention, as these not only damage and kill pathogenic bacteria, but also damage the natural intestinal flora.
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