Infantile Diarrhoea

Infantile Diarrhoea

1. Definition: Infantile diarrhoea is a common condition seen in infants characterized by frequent passage of watery stools, often accompanied by vomiting, dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.

2. Causes / Etiology:

• Viral infections like Rotavirus, Adenovirus, and Norovirus
• Bacterial infections like E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella
• Parasitic infections like Giardia and Cryptosporidium
• Food and water contamination
• Allergic reactions to milk or other foods

3. Types or Classification:

• Acute Diarrhoea: Sudden onset, short duration (less than 14 days)
• Persistent Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days
• Chronic Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea lasting more than 30 days
• Malabsorptive Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea caused by malabsorption of nutrients
• Infectious Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea caused by infectious agents

4. Pathology:

• Step 1 → Infection: Infectious agent enters the infant's body through contaminated food or water.
• Step 2 → Inflammation: The infectious agent causes inflammation in the intestinal lining.
• Step 3 → Increased Secretion: The intestinal lining produces excess mucus and water, leading to diarrhoea.
• Step 4 → Malabsorption: Nutrients are not properly absorbed, leading to malnutrition.

5. Clinical Features:

• General Features: Vomiting, diarrhoea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, weight loss
• Specific Features: Fever, abdominal pain, bloody stools, lethargy

6. Complications:

• Acute Complications: Dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition
• Chronic Complications: Malabsorption, growth retardation, increased risk of infections

7. Diagnosis / Investigations:

• Routine Tests: Stool examination, blood tests, urinalysis
• Special Tests: Endoscopy, colonoscopy, biopsy

8. Management:

• General Management: Fluid replacement, electrolyte balance, rest
• Modern Treatment: Antibiotics for bacterial infections, antiparasitic medications for parasitic infections
• Dietary Advice: Breast milk or formula, bland diet, probiotics

9. Homeopathic Therapeutics:

• Arsenicum Album

  • Watery diarrhea with abdominal cramps and anxiety
  • Thirst for small sips of water
  • Restlessness and irritability
  • Better in warm weather
  • Worse at night and in cold weather

• Chamomilla

  • Diarrhea with abdominal cramps and irritability
  • Vomiting and restlessness
  • Thirst for small sips of water
  • Better in warm weather
  • Worse at night and in cold weather

• Colocynthis

  • Diarrhea with abdominal cramps and anxiety
  • Vomiting and restlessness
  • Thirst for small sips of water
  • Better in warm weather
  • Worse at night and in cold weather

• Ipecacuanha

  • Diarrhea with nausea and vomiting
  • Abdominal cramps and restlessness
  • Thirst for small sips of water
  • Better in warm weather
  • Worse at night and in cold weather

• Mercurius Solubilis

  • Diarrhea with abdominal cramps and anxiety
  • Vomiting and restlessness
  • Thirst for small sips of water
  • Better in warm weather
  • Worse at night and in cold weather