Parents often become very worried when the child is unwell. Diarrhea is a common problem in children under the age of five. Diarrhea is the rapid onset of loose, watery and frequent bowel movements in children. Most children have occasional bouts of diarrhea that usually don’t last long and get better on their own most of the time. The body uses diarrhea to get rid of germs, and most episodes last from a few days to a week. Fever, nausea, vomiting, cramps, dehydration, and even rashes are common symptoms that appear during diarrhea.
The summer months are bittersweet, to say the least. Season of mangoes, popsicles, ice cream, cold drinks but also extreme heat, sweating, dehydration and in the case of little kids – summer diarrhoea! Not only older children, but even small children of the age of one year and below can fall prey to it.
Dr. Vikram Kumar Singh, Senior Consultant, Neonatology & Paediatrics, Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi in conversation with Zee English shares tips on how you can save your baby from diarrhoea, in summer.
What is this summer diarrhea?
Diarrhea is not a disease in itself but a symptom of an infection in the digestive system. The most common virus causing diarrhea is rotavirus, followed by bacteria and other parasites. It appears as loose watery stool that is passed 3 or more times in a day. While for adults it can cause weakness, in infants and children it can cause dehydration, weight loss and malnutrition. Diarrhea is the leading cause of death among young children.
Why are infants and young children under the age of 1 at risk of summer diarrhea?
There are two main reasons why babies get diarrhea during the hot summer months. One, extreme weather would mean a greater chance of consuming contaminated cold water or foods. Second, their immune systems are less developed so viruses or bacteria can easily cause infections in them. Quoting research, children’s immunity reaches adult level only by 7-8 years.
Prevention of diarrhea in young children
Prevention of summer diarrhea in children will require a two-pronged approach. One would be cleanliness and the other would be to strengthen your child’s immunity.
Since diarrhea is a problem that is commonly faced due to poor sanitation and hygiene issues; It is important to wash hands thoroughly after handling your child’s food. Only safe, filtered drinking water and hygienically prepared foods should be given to children to prevent the possibility of infection. Apart from hygiene, rotavirus vaccination can also protect your child from viral infections of the stomach.
Second comes the exercise which will help in strengthening the immunity of your child. For the first 6 months, exclusive breastfeeding is nature’s way of nourishing your baby as well as protecting it from infections. As baby begins to eat solid foods, providing foods rich in vitamins and minerals – from fruits and vegetables – is important.
Since diarrhea is a digestive tract problem, fiber in the form of fructooligosaccharides (fruc-toh-olly-go-SAC-ee-rides) helps keep your child’s gut healthy and protect against infection. Found naturally in fruits such as bananas, wheat, tomatoes; This fiber is gentle on your baby’s stomach. Once eaten, FOS helps to increase the number of good bacteria for your baby, which are naturally found in yogurt and fermented foods. These good bacteria, also known as probiotics, help neutralize infection-causing bacteria. They not only prevent but also help in reducing the severity of diarrhea in young children.
What to do to avoid summer diarrhea in young children
Wash hands with soap before handling food made for your young child
Provide filtered and safe drinking water and hygienically prepared home food
Get your child vaccinated against rotavirus
Exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months
Include probiotic-boosting fibers like FOS in your child’s diet.
management of diarrhea
Treatment of diarrhea involves replenishing fluids lost through frequent defecation. Oral rehydration salts or ORS are a sure shot way to prevent dehydration and reduce the severity of diarrhea.
– Make sure you read the label and refer to the ‘WHO recommended formula’ written on the pack. When the child is able to consume zinc supplements and nutritious food helps him to recover faster!
Always consult your pediatrician for effective and safe ways to prevent and treat heat diarrhea in children.