Bloody diarrhea in the baby is not common, so it should be investigated quickly. Bloody diarrhea is usually associated with infection by the retrovirus, bacteria or worms. As soon as more than three bowel movements a day are verified, with the poop more liquid than usual, with a different color, strong smell and with the presence of blood, the baby should be taken to the pediatrician as soon as possible to investigate the cause and treatment can be started. Learn how to recognize diarrhea in your baby.
Until the consultation and during the treatment, it is important to keep the baby well hydrated and to avoid feeding him foods that hold the intestine, as it may be that the cause of the diarrhea is eliminated in the feces.
Main causes
Bloody diarrhea in babies is worrying but can be easily treated as long as you seek guidance from the pediatrician and identify the cause, so that appropriate treatment can be started. The most common causes of bloody diarrhea in babies are:
1. Viral infection
Viral infection happens mainly with 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 Shigella .
Escherichia coli is part of the population of microorganisms in the intestine of humans, however some types of E. coli are more harmful and can cause gastroenteritis, which are characterized by bloody and / or mucous diarrhea, as well as fever, vomiting and pain in the stomach. stomach. 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 E. coli infection appear a few hours after infection and can be treated soon after medical and laboratory confirmation.
Salmonella and Shigella infections occur when there is contact with water or food contaminated with animal feces. Salmonella infection 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. The symptoms of shigellosis, which is Shigella infection, are the same as those of 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 babies' hands and food well, as well as try to avoid baby contact with any foreign and potentially contaminating surfaces.
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 the 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) which leads to bloody diarrhea. To treat colitis, the doctor usually indicates medications to stop diarrhea and the use of some dietary supplements. Learn more about ulcerative colitis.
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 drinks a lot 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 retrovirus infection, treatment usually involves drugs to lower the fever, such as ibuprofen and paracetamol. 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 to having a balanced diet.
