Preventing digestive problems in children

 Although diseases of the digestive system are not lethal, they can cause considerable distress both the sufferer and his or her parents. The cause is basically down to behaviour. Children love putting things in their mouths, a habit that makes them prone to gastric infections.

A gastrointestinal virus leads to queasiness, upset stomach, low grade fever, dehydration, vomiting and lack of energy, Six-month old babies tend to be particularly exposed to this virus because they regularly put their hands or contaminated toys into their mouths. Another environment where the virus is highly contagious and circulates effectively is in schools, where saliva-soaked hands touch surfaces and toys. Although a gastrointestinal virus is highly contagious, it is not dangerous and can be prevented through good hygiene habits, such as the frequent washing of hands.

Certain cases present with more severe symptoms. If a child is vomiting 2-3 times per day, they run the risk of dehydration so a visit to the doctor is recommended. 

Much of the food that we do not prepare ourselves tends to be presented in such a way as to be attractive to children. Whether on special occasions or on a weekend, children want to try new food and drink. The very hot and humid climate in a country like Thailand naturally makes people sweaty and thirsty, but parents should not just allow their children to consume whatever they wish. Bad consumption habits can harm their children’s digestive systems.

Diarrhoea, which can be viral or bacterial in nature, is caused by a pathogen in unclean food or drink that allow germs to penetrate into the stomach and the large intestine. Symptoms include three episodes of watery stool per day or a mucous bloody stool. 

Children infected with virus-induced diarrhoea experience a low grade fever and watery stools, although with minimal loss of energy. While it is not necessary to see a doctor in such cases, it is important to keep the ill child well hydrated. Prepare a glass of Oral rehydration solution to be hand-fed to the child every 3-4 hours. Parents are advised avoid feeding the child from a bottle or through a tube, as the intestine does not absorb fluids well in this way. 

The symptoms of rotavirus-induced diarrhoea can be identified as 8-10 episodes of watery stool, which leave the child dehydrated and weak. A visit to the doctor is recommended and the child may need to be admitted into hospital.

Bacterial diarrhoea from dysentery and salmonella infection are very dangerous. Noticeable symptoms include high-grade fever, mucous bloody stool and cramping abdominal pain. Children with bacterial diarrhoea need antibiotics and should visit a doctor immediately. 

Physicians treat digestive tract infection with symptomatic treatment but prevention is far more important. School children have a high propensity to experience digestive tract infection, as they spend a great deal of time engaged in communal activities and sharing objects. Each child should have his or her own water bottle and teachers should encourage children to wash their hands and shared objects frequently. These simple steps cultivate good hygiene habits in children and keep them safe from many avoidable diseases. 

Finally, some advice for children and parents planning outdoors activities that involve food. Food stand operators tend to decorate their products to attract buyers, so it’s vital to consider the benefits and safety of the food. Both kids and adults should consume all 5 food groups - carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin, mineral – in every meal and if there’s a shortfall, they should make it up in the next meal. Always be careful to select food with natural colouring, dine in restaurants free of flies, and avoid food created obviously to attract attention, such as giant meat balls and red velvet crushed ice. These items may contain harmful substances to which some children may be allergic. Parents should instead prepare simple food, such as fried egg sandwiches for a day out. 

It also helps to keep children’s fingernails clipped and have them wash their hands before meals. To help rehydrate your children when necessary, always keep some oral rehydration solution at hand.”

 

 

Dr Patcharin Amornvipas is a paediatric |gastroenterologist and hepatologist. For more |information, call the clinic at (02) 378 9110-1 |or visit Facebook.com/samitivej.