One of the digestive system disorders frequently found in children is diarrhea. Although it occurs frequently and is often considered trivial, inadequate treatment can be dangerous and even lead to serious consequences.
During the transitional season or changing seasons, children often experience various illnesses, such as fever, cough, and colds. Furthermore, it can also cause digestive system complaints such as nausea, vomiting, and often diarrhea. Diarrhea is a condition where the child has loose, watery bowel movements more than three times a day. Diarrhea can be caused by several factors. The most common cause is infection, whether viral, bacterial, or parasitic.
Diarrhea can also be caused by food allergies, lactose intolerance, intestinal inflammation, medication side effects, and consuming contaminated food. Viral infections are quite common in children. Viral diarrhea usually improves as the immune system builds up to fight the virus.
Meanwhile, cases caused by bacterial infections will be given antibiotics, and those caused by parasites will be given antiparasitic drugs. For cases of lactose intolerance and medication side effects, alternatives can be sought regarding medications and the food and beverages consumed. It's also important to maintain the cleanliness of the food and beverages consumed.
Diarrhea in children
In cases of diarrhea, there is a risk of dehydration due to the large amount of fluid lost from the body. Therefore, it is crucial to replace lost fluids to maintain the body's metabolism. One therapy that can be given is an oral rehydration solution (ORS). This solution is a combination of water, salt, and sugar that helps replace electrolytes lost due to diarrhea. However, in cases of severe dehydration, children may refuse to consume any food or even drink.
In this situation, it's crucial to immediately seek further medical attention, as the child requires intravenous fluid therapy. Furthermore, it's crucial to maintain the child's nutritional intake. Continue to provide a balanced diet with a texture that's easier to digest. In some cases, the doctor may also prescribe probiotics to help maintain the balance of good bacteria in the gut.
Diarrhea caused by infection is often accompanied by fever. Untreated fever can increase the risk of dehydration. This condition can be helped by applying plain water compresses to the child's body folds, such as the neck, armpits, and groin. Additionally, fever-reducing or antipyretic medication can be given.
Signs of dehydration in children
One complication that can occur in cases of diarrhea is dehydration. Especially in children who have difficulty communicating their symptoms effectively, parents play a crucial role in closely monitoring their children when they experience diarrhea. Dehydration in children can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. Children with mild dehydration usually still eat and drink well. In the early stages, symptoms may include increased thirst, which can lead to increased drinking. Signs of dehydration in children include a dry mouth and tongue.
With moderate dehydration, children will typically become more lethargic and have a decreased desire to drink. At this stage, children should be closely monitored to prevent severe dehydration. In severe dehydration, children will become increasingly lethargic and will not want to eat or drink. This condition can be very dangerous, leading to shock and loss of consciousness.
Signs that can be found include crying without tears, sunken eyes, and urinating little to brownish urine. In addition, skin turgor can decrease, where when the skin is pulled, it takes time to return to its original position. In conditions like this, it is very important to immediately take the child to the doctor for intravenous fluid therapy or an IV to prevent hypovolemic shock and loss of consciousness. Written by Dr. Valda Garcia Reviewed by Dr. Ernest Eugene
.png)