Treatment

The cornerstone of the treatment of diarrhea is first of all that a sufficient fluid intake is guaranteed. If this is observed, most diarrheal diseases of babies heal without consequences after a few days without further medical measures having to be taken. In order not to overburden the digestive tract, the intake of food should first be interrupted.

Water, as well as diluted tea, is good for normalizing the fluid balance. Since minerals are also lost with the liquid stool, the liquid can be enriched with some electrolyte powder. In this case, the correct dosage should be ensured.

Babies who are still being breastfed or who receive bottled milk can continue to drink their normal milk. A change should be avoided during diarrhoea to avoid food intolerances. In addition, these babies should also be given tea drinks.

Loss of appetite is a common symptom of diarrhoea and should not be worrying at first. Only if the condition persists should a pediatrician be consulted. As the disease subsides, a normal appetite usually develops.

A gentle diet is recommended in order not to overburden the digestive tract. It is recommended to start eating 4-6 hours after rehydration to regenerate the damaged cells in the intestine. Breast milk, bottled milk and possibly carbohydrate-rich supplementary food such as bread, pasta, potatoes or rice is generally recommended.

If the baby’s fluid situation worsens or other symptoms such as vomiting, fever or seizures occur, a doctor should always be consulted. This doctor can make the correct diagnosis and initiate appropriate therapy. Even in the presence of infectious bowel disease in children, drug therapy is generally not necessary.

Only a few diarrheal diseases require drug therapy. Before initiating these therapies, the underlying cause of the diarrhea should be determined. Diarrheal diseases in babies are usually self-limiting, i.e. they heal by themselves without the administration of medication.In individual cases, however, it may still make sense to administer medication in addition to the symptomatic therapy of the disease.

Very severe infectious diarrhea in infants from 3 months of age can be treated with a so-called secretion inhibitor (Racecadotril). According to various studies, this drug can significantly reduce the duration of the disease as well as the amount of liquid bowel movements. Treatment with antibiotics is not necessary for most diarrheal diseases and is not recommended from a medical point of view.

Exceptions are few infections with certain bacteria (Salmonella typhi, Vibrio cholera, Entamoeba histolytica, Gardia lamblia). The use of antibiotics may also be necessary if the sick babies are young premature babies or immunocompromised children. The most important measure for diarrhea is the intake of fluids.

Children in particular tend to dehydrate if the diarrhoea illness lasts for a long time. The fluid should be taken mainly in the form of water and tea. It should be noted, however, that in addition to the loss of fluid, there is also a risk of electrolyte loss.

The electrolyte loss can be prevented with mineral water and salty food e.g. salt sticks. Tea provides for the rehydration, but does not supply electrolytes. If dehydration progresses, which can be recognized by dry diapers without urine, sunken eyes with rings under the eyes and standing skin folds, a doctor should be consulted immediately.

Nutrition also plays an important role. During the acute phase of diarrhea, in addition to a high-salt diet, careful attention should be paid to gentle nutrition. This means that the diet should be as low-fat and easily digestible as possible.

Simple carbohydrates such as potatoes and rice are recommended. Bananas are also recommended, as they have a stool-thickening effect. Vegetable broth is easy to digest and also provides electrolytes.

After the diarrhea has subsided, a glucose rich diet is recommended to regenerate the intestinal villi. Even if a scientific proof of effectiveness could not be provided so far, the treatment with homeopathic remedies is becoming more and more popular also with babies. Depending on the cause, accompanying symptoms as well as the smell, color and consistency of the stool, different remedies are often recommended.

Popular remedies are for example Arsenicum album, Ipecacuanha or Veratrum album. In any case, in addition to the administration of these homeopathic remedies, care should be taken to ensure a sufficient fluid intake. In case of a worsening of the condition and/or the occurrence of further symptoms, a visit to a doctor should be made.

Depending on the baby’s age, different recommendations regarding eating may be made in connection with diarrhoea. Babies who drink breast milk or bottled milk should continue to receive it in addition to an extra fluid intake. Loss of appetite is normal in the context of diarrhoea and therefore no cause for concern.

However, four to six hours after the beginning of the baby’s rehydration, feeding should be resumed in order to regenerate the damaged cells of the intestine. For children who were already used to supplementary food (all foods except milk, e.g. porridge) before the illness, carbohydrate-based foods such as bread, potatoes, noodles or rice are suitable. Sweet and fruity foods should be avoided.

A very common accompanying symptom of diarrhea in babies is a sore bottom. The reason for skin irritation is usually that the skin around the buttocks is moist for a long time. This makes it sensitive to mechanical irritation and a local inflammatory reaction follows.

Constant wiping can also promote a sore bottom. To prevent and treat sore buttocks, the area should be kept dry and the skin well cared for. Healing ointments and powders can help to care for a sore bottom. So-called tanning lotions also help well with a sore bottom caused by diarrhoea. If the inflammation spreads and the skin begins to wet, a pediatrician should be consulted if necessary.