Intestinal infection in a newborn baby

Intestinal infection in children under one year of age is the most common disease.

Bacteria and viruses enter the child’s body through dirty hands, objects, and toys that he puts in his mouth.

There are many types of bacteria that cause different diseases, but the symptoms are similar in most cases, so laboratory tests are required to identify the pathogen.

Among all intestinal infections, small children most often suffer from rotavirus infection (intestinal flu), salmonellosis, enterovirus, and dysentery.

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Causes of intestinal infection in a newborn

Intestinal infection is always transmitted through the oral-fecal route, i.e. bacteria from the intestines with feces get on the hands, then on various objects. As is known, children from the first months of life try to suck in any object that gets into their hands, this is part of self-development, but at the same time, it threatens serious consequences.

Bacteria usually enter the body of newborns due to parents' failure to follow simple hygiene requirements for caring for their child; for example, an infection can occur due to a poorly washed bottle, a dropped nipple (especially on the street), unwashed hands, etc.

In addition, infection can occur through the mother's body, who may be a carrier of dangerous bacteria or become infected during pregnancy. The child can become infected in the womb (by swallowing amniotic fluid, through the common bloodstream with the mother) or at the time of birth, when passing through the birth canal.

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Symptoms of intestinal infection in a newborn

Even after a normal birth, the child's condition may deteriorate significantly after a few weeks. Lethargy, frequent regurgitation, poor appetite, and insignificant weight gain are the first symptoms of problems in the child's body.

Almost every intestinal infection is manifested by abdominal pain, high fever, diarrhea (the color often depends on the disease), and vomiting.

All of these symptoms may appear at once or separately.

It is worth noting that vomiting does not always occur with intestinal infection, while diarrhea is considered the main symptom of infection.

Any intestinal infection causes dehydration, which can be determined by dry mouth, poor appetite, weight loss, and decreased urine output. For children, this condition is the most dangerous and requires immediate treatment.

In severe cases of dehydration, the fontanelle begins to sink, the child becomes sleepy, weak, and signs of dryness appear on the eyes and skin.

The most common infection in young children is rotavirus, which, in addition to general symptoms, includes redness of the palate and sore throat.

Diagnosis of intestinal infection in a newborn

Intestinal infection in newborns often causes death, so at the first signs of illness (weakness, diarrhea, fever) you should consult a doctor.

To establish a diagnosis, the specialist conducts an examination, records complaints and, if necessary, prescribes additional tests.

To identify the pathogen, a stool analysis is necessary, which will also establish the sensitivity of the pathogenic microflora to a particular group of antibiotics, which is important when choosing a treatment.

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Treatment of intestinal infection in a newborn

It is worth noting that children who are breastfed tolerate intestinal infections much easier than children who have already been weaned or formula-fed. Mother's milk helps strengthen the baby's immunity and increases the body's resistance.

In case of intestinal infection, treatment is primarily aimed at destroying pathogenic microorganisms, reducing intoxication and dehydration, and restoring the normal balance of bacteria in the intestines.

When the first signs of illness appear, you should stop feeding for 12-18 hours (during this period, the child can only be given clean boiled water or tea).

Also during this period, it is necessary to give the child sorbents to remove toxins and drugs to restore water-electrolyte balance.

In case of vomiting, the doctor may prescribe gastric lavage; if even after such a procedure the child does not stop vomiting, artificial introduction of nutrients through a dropper is prescribed. In severe cases (for example, with staphylococcal infection), broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs may be used.

It is imperative to prescribe medications that restore intestinal microflora.

Infants are usually prescribed Smecta, Enterosgel, which not only absorbs toxins but also reduces intoxication of the body, and Regidron to restore water-electrolyte balance.

To restore intestinal microflora, Bifidum, Trilact, Acipol, etc. can be used.

Prevention of intestinal infection in a newborn

An intestinal infection in a newborn can occur for several reasons; experts identify factors that increase the risk of developing the disease in infants:

• refusal of breastfeeding
• hot seasons (high temperatures are a good environment for the reproduction of most bacteria)
• introducing unprocessed foods into the baby's diet
• weak immunity of the child

Also, children born prematurely are more vulnerable to bacteria and viruses.

Preventive measures will help to avoid the risk of infection:

• control the quality of water (not only for drinking, but also for cooking), products used in the child’s diet, especially dairy products.
• wash vegetables, fruits, berries thoroughly
• do wet cleaning of the premises (at least once a week)
• If you suspect that someone close to you (older children, parents, grandmothers, etc.) has an intestinal infection, protect them from any contact with the child.

Prognosis of intestinal infection in a newborn

Intestinal infection in a newborn has a favorable prognosis if the disease is detected in the early stages and all necessary measures are taken to prevent dehydration and severe intoxication of the body.

Dehydration is one of the main problems with intestinal infection, since a child's body loses fluid faster than an adult's and severe dehydration, especially with frequent vomiting and diarrhea, can begin in the first hours of the disease. This condition leads to disruption of the urinary, respiratory systems, central nervous system, and heart.

Symptoms in newborns develop very quickly and the main thing is not to miss the moment and start acting in time and seek qualified help, otherwise, an intestinal infection can cause the death of the baby.

Intestinal infection in newborns is the most common disease, since the child's immune system is not formed, and the structure of the digestive system has some peculiarities. The child's body produces less hydrochloric acid, the work of the pancreas is reduced, which facilitates the process of penetration and development of pathogenic microflora.