Symptoms

It is not always easy to identify diarrhea in babies as such. For example, diarrhea can only be spoken of when it is watery stools that occur more often than four times in 24 hours. Accompanying symptoms such as fever and vomiting as well as blood in the stool indicate the presence of an infectious disease.

Since diarrhea in babies can quickly lead to a lack of fluid, attention should be paid to signs such as a dry mouth and pale skin and a doctor should be consulted if necessary. If the diarrhea occurs in isolation without accompanying symptoms, it may be that it is merely a food intolerance, which should also be clarified by a doctor. In addition to the consistency, frequency and odor of the stool, the color can also provide an indication of the cause of the diarrhea.

Green diarrhea in babies can have several causes. The baby’s first bowel movement, which is formed before birth, is usually blackish-green.However, this viscous stool, also known as meconium, is normal. The reason for the color is a high proportion of a breakdown product of the red blood pigment.

In later development, green stool can be caused by a bacterial infection as well as by medication. In children who are bottle-fed, greenish stools may be normal. Greenish diarrhea

Diagnosis

In order to find out what is behind the diarrhea, different diagnostic methods can be used. Often the detailed anamnesis and physical examination is sufficient to make a suspected diagnosis. Only if the treatment does not work or a severe dehydration threatens, a detailed diagnosis is recommended.

This may involve stool examinations and, in rare cases, imaging examinations (ultrasound, MRI). Various tests can also show whether food intolerance is responsible for the diarrhoea. By definition, diarrhoea is defined as diarrhoea with more than three bowel movements per day, with a fluid content of more than 75%.

The bowel movement is therefore very watery. The most common cause of acute diarrhea is an infection. In childhood, this is often caused by noroviruses.

The difference between diarrhoea and a liquid, so-called “nursing chair”, can be recognized by the following conspicuous features: The stool of a baby suffering from an infection usually has a different odor than normal stool. The gases produced by the bacteria give the stool an unpleasant smell. In addition, diarrhoea is accompanied by recurring abdominal cramps, also known as tenesmus.

Since the intestine is trying to get rid of the pathogen as quickly as possible, it cramps and thus shortens the intestinal passage through increased work. On the one hand, this leads to cramp-like pain, which can be accompanied by increased crying, and on the other hand, it also causes the stool frequency to increase. This means that the diaper is filled more often than usual.

In addition, diarrhea caused by an infection can lead to increased temperatures. These can range from a slight temperature increase of 38.5°C to over 40°C. The fever can be reduced with paracetamol or ibuprofen. It should be noted that these drugs have different maximum and single doses in different age groups. In addition to diarrhea, vomiting may occur in the case of infections of the gastrointestinal tract.