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Bloody diarrhea in the baby is not common, and therefore should be investigated quickly, because it is usually associated with intestinal infections, rotavirus, bacteria or worms. Other common causes are allergy to cow's milk and anal fissures. A serious cause is intestinal invagination, which must be treated quickly in the hospital.
As soon as there are more than three bowel movements a day, with the poop more liquid than usual, with a different color, strong smell or with the presence of blood, the baby should be taken to the pediatrician so that the cause can be investigated and the treatment can be be started. Learn how to recognize diarrhea in your baby.
Until the consultation, it is important to keep the baby well hydrated and maintain the baby's usual diet, avoiding feeding him foods that hold the intestine, as this can aggravate the infection and worsen the symptoms.
Bloody diarrhea in babies is worrying but can be easily treated as long as you seek guidance from your pediatrician and identify the cause. The most common causes of bloody diarrhea in babies are:
1. Viral infection
Viral infection is mainly caused by Rotavirus, which causes severe diarrhea, with a strong smell of rotten eggs, vomiting and fever, and usually affects babies between 6 months and 2 years old. Rotavirus infection is characterized by at least three liquid or soft bowel movements with blood during the day and can last from 8 to 10 days. The most common way to prevent rotavirus infection is through vaccination.
2. Bacterial infection
Some bacteria can cause bloody diarrhea in babies, such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella and the Shigella.
THE Escherichia coli is part of the population of microorganisms in the intestines of humans, but some types of E. coli they are more harmful and can cause gastroenteritis, which are characterized by bloody and / or mucus diarrhea, as well as fever, vomiting and abdominal pain. These most harmful types are present in the environment, so it is possible to be contaminated by these types from contact with contaminated water and food. Symptoms of infection by E. coli appear a few hours after infection, and can be treated soon after medical and laboratory confirmation.
Infections by Salmonella and Shigella occur when there is contact with water or food contaminated with animal feces. Infection by Salmonella it is called salmonellosis and is characterized by abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, fever and bloody diarrhea. Symptoms of infection usually appear between 12 and 72 hours after infection. Symptoms of shigellosis, which is infection by Shigella, are the same as salmonellosis and appear after a day or two of infection.
Because babies have the habit of putting everything they see in their mouth and because they play a lot on the floor, infections by these bacteria are common. Therefore, the best way to prevent infection is to wash your baby's hands and food well, as well as try to avoid the baby's contact with any foreign and potentially contaminating surface.
3. Worms
Worm infections are very common in areas with poor hygiene and sanitation. The presence of worms in the intestine may favor the occurrence of bloody diarrhea. These worms reach the intestine through accidental ingestion of eggs from these parasites present in the soil and in food. That is why hygiene and care with what the baby has contact with is very important. See what the worm symptoms are.
4. Ulcerative colitis
Ulcerative colitis can appear at any age, including babies, although it is rare. It is an irritation in the intestine caused by the presence of several wounds (ulcers) that leads to bloody diarrhea. To treat colitis the doctor usually recommends medication to stop diarrhea and the use of some dietary supplements. Learn more about ulcerative colitis.
5. Intestinal invagination
Intestinal invagination, which may also be known as intestinal intussusception, is a serious condition in which one part of the intestine slides into another, which can interrupt the passage of blood to that portion and cause serious infection, obstruction, perforation of the intestine and until tissue death. In addition to bloody diarrhea, other symptoms such as severe abdominal pain and irritability may also appear. know more about
What to do
As soon as there is diarrhea with the presence of blood in babies, the most advisable attitude is to go to the pediatrician so that the cause can be identified and, thus, the ideal treatment can be established. In addition, it is very important that the baby drink plenty of water to avoid the risk of becoming dehydrated. It is also recommended not to eat foods that trap the intestine in the first days of diarrhea, as it may be that the virus, bacteria or worm come out in the poop.
In the case of rotavirus infection, treatment usually involves fever-lowering drugs, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol, and oral rehydration solutions. In bacterial infections, antibiotics can be prescribed, which varies according to the bacteria. For worm infections, the use of metronidazole, secnidazole or tinidazole is often indicated according to medical advice. Regarding colitis, treatment is defined based on the doctor's assessment, which can range from the use of antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, to having a balanced diet.
In the case of an intestinal invasion, it is advisable that the treatment be started as soon as possible in the hospital. In these cases, the doctor usually does an air enema to try to put the intestine in the correct place, and it is rarely necessary to resort to surgery.