Light-colored feces in a child: what does it mean?

The color of the contents of a child's potty can cause a lot of anxiety and questions for parents. Light-colored feces in a child are especially worrisome. After all, most adults know that unusually light-colored feces can indicate pathological processes occurring in the digestive system. But even a gastroenterologist cannot answer exactly what color should be considered unusual. The color of feces is influenced by many factors, sometimes completely harmless. Shades of medium brown from ocher to nutty are considered normal. This shade of feces is given by the presence of a fair amount of bile pigment - stercobilin, formed in the large intestine during the processing of bilirubin. The child's diet can significantly change the color of feces, the normal options have a very wide range.

However, if a child has very light, almost white feces, this should not be ignored. A decrease or cessation of stercobilin production may be a sign of a digestive system disease.

Causes light-colored feces in a baby

If you notice that the color of your child's feces is lighter than usual, but nothing bothers the child, it is enough to simply observe his well-being and remember what the child could have consumed the day before. Light-colored food products (rice, semolina porridge, cottage cheese with sour cream, high-carbohydrate foods in large quantities), multivitamin complexes, and some medications lighten the color. The color of a breastfed baby's feces is significantly affected by the mother's diet, the introduction of complementary foods, a change in the brand of adapted formula, and teething.

Pathological risk factors for the appearance of light-colored stool in a child are diseases of the digestive organs (intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas). They are usually accompanied, in addition to lightening of the stool, by other symptoms.

The most widely known and widespread cause of white with a grayish tint of feces is viral hepatitis, in addition to it, lightening of feces can be observed with dysentery, salmonellosis, rotavirus infection. A common factor in the development of infectious diseases is non-compliance with basic hygiene standards. In particular, children are usually not distinguished by fastidiousness, especially small ones, and dirty hands end up in their mouths quite often, and most intestinal infections and rotavirus are transmitted by the fecal-oral route, although the latter can sometimes be acquired by airborne droplets. These infectious diseases are widespread, natural susceptibility to them is high.

Light-colored stool may be observed in a child with intestinal biocenosis disorders (dysbacteriosis), which is a complication of any gastrointestinal tract diseases, diabetes, a consequence of antibiotic therapy, poor nutrition, starvation. The causes of intestinal microflora imbalance in a child may be stress, decreased immunity, climate change.

Stool becomes discolored in patients with pancreatitis. This disease is not common in childhood and its causes are still controversial. In childhood, risk factors for its development may include malformations of the organ itself - the pancreas, as well as the small intestine or gall bladder; blunt abdominal trauma; ascariasis; tumor processes; diseases of the digestive organs. Pancreatitis may become a complication of toxic effects or allergic reactions caused by drugs or food products, be a consequence of past infections or improper nutrition.

A rare, severe infectious disease (with about 30 cases per year on the planet), called Whipple's disease, also manifests itself in a change in the color of feces. This disease mainly affects men aged 40-50, whose profession is related to agriculture, so the probability of a child getting it is negligible.

A kink or kinking of the gallbladder is one of the reasons for discoloration of feces. This pathology can be congenital, but you can also “earn” a twisted organ if you lift weights that are inappropriate for your age, eat poorly, and move too actively. The risk group includes children with excess weight and chronic cholecystitis.

[ 1 ], [ 2 ], [ 3 ], [ 4 ]

Pathogenesis

The mechanism of transformation of bilirubin into stecobilinogen has not been thoroughly studied yet. Normally functioning liver converts bilirubin in the process of glycolysis into bilirubin glucuronides, many of which enter the bile, then into the intestine, where they are reduced to uro- and stercobilinogens, colorless substances, which are normally eliminated up to 95% through the rectum with feces, 5% leaves the body with urine, where, oxidizing in the air, they are converted into yellow uro- and stercobilins, which impart color to urine and feces.

Lightening of feces is caused by various reasons and develops in different ways, however, the pathological mechanism of development always involves, to a greater or lesser extent, liver dysfunction. Light feces are observed already in the early stages of liver disorders, when the excretion of bile pigments into the intestine is disrupted, and they are excreted mainly by the kidneys (urine darkens), and feces become lighter.

In case of intestinal microbiocenosis disorders, the lack of bacteria in the intestine upsets the process of formation of stercobilinogen in the intestine, and when the gallbladder is bent, mechanical obstruction of the bile ducts occurs, and bile partially or completely does not enter the intestine. All this leads to disruption of normal metabolism and discoloration of feces.

[ 5 ], [ 6 ], [ 7 ], [ 8 ]

Symptoms light-colored feces in a baby

Very light-colored stool in a child is not always a sign of ill health. Light-yellow and light-brown stool in a child of normal consistency can be considered a normal variant, especially when the child feels well, is not more capricious than usual, is active, eats and sleeps well. Products rich in calcium can lighten the stool almost to whiteness, the same applies to calcium preparations.

Light green stool of normal consistency in a child with normal health and behavior is also not a cause for concern. This may mean that a lot of green leafy vegetables, juices from them, peas were eaten.

Of course, you shouldn't relax completely, you need to closely monitor the child, in particular, pay attention to the color of his urine. Very dark urine and white with a grayish tint of feces, often against the background of a completely normal state of health - these are the first signs of viral hepatitis A (Botkin's disease) - the most likely form of the disease. There is no point in focusing on the yellowing of the sclera of the eyes and lemon-yellow skin color. Jaundice will appear later, but liver function tests should already differ from the norm. Sometimes hepatitis begins with a sharp rise in temperature, weakness, aches in the joints. Then, about the third day, the temperature drops, the fever passes, the condition improves, mild weakness, nausea, dizziness remain, which is not surprising after hyperthermia. And then the parents notice that the child has light-colored feces and vomiting, while the urine also darkens. There is no yellow tint in the color of the feces, light gray feces in a child, like poor quality paper, combined with dark brown urine should prompt parents to conduct an immediate examination. Hepatitis is an insidious disease, fraught with complications. Sometimes, especially in children, it proceeds very easily, even without hyperthermia, however, in order to overcome the disease without consequences, it is necessary to adhere to a diet, do control blood tests for bilirubin, check the activity of transaminases.

Light liquid feces in a child may indicate an intestinal infection - salmonellosis, dysentery. With salmonellosis, there may be green streaks in the feces, it may become completely light green or light gray in color and watery in consistency. The feces of a child with dysentery are abundant and light yellow at the beginning of the disease, on the second or third day the contents of the potty will become very scarce and will look like a cloudy mucus-like lump with streaks of blood. With these diseases, a mandatory symptom is severe diarrhea, the child asks to go to the potty very often, more than five times a day. He has a stomach ache, there may be nausea, vomiting at the beginning of the disease, and fever. Dysentery is characterized by painful urges to defecate, which are periodically false. Symptoms of dehydration may appear.

Rotavirus infection begins with hyperthermia, then acute diarrhea and vomiting three to four times a day. On the first day of the disease, light yellow watery profuse stools with a sour smell are accompanied by attacks of acute abdominal pain, later (on the second and third) the feces become outwardly similar to clay. Diarrhea, like abdominal pain, lasts from three to seven days, vomiting usually ends on the third day of the disease. Weakness, lack of appetite, drowsiness, conjunctival hyperemia are observed, there may be respiratory symptoms - sore throat, runny nose, coughing.

Light-colored stool in a child after an intestinal infection is explained by a violation of the normal microflora. Dysbacteriosis can be a consequence of not only intestinal infections, antibiotic therapy also upsets the balance of microorganisms in the intestine. In this case, light foamy stool in a child may contain greenish streaks. Defecation is frequent, the child complains of severe pain in the abdomen, increased gas formation. Babies cannot complain yet, they are very capricious, often cry, throw the breast, arch. There may even be rashes on the skin. Liquid light-colored stool with mucus in a child has an unpleasant odor.

Whitish color of feces may be a sign of inflammation of the pancreas ( pancreatitis ). In this case, the child complains of pain in the umbilical area or the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, intense thirst, nausea, vomiting and fever are possible.

Whipple's disease affects many organs and often goes undiagnosed for a long time. It is characterized by severe diarrhea (more than ten times a day), hyperthermia, anemia, and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. The leading symptoms are not intestinal, but joint damage and fever.

When the gallbladder is bent or twisted, bile practically does not enter the intestines and the feces also become discolored. The child feels pain in the place of the bend - on the right, the pain radiates to the back and shoulder blades. There may be flatulence, bloating, temperature fluctuations, stool disorders. Symptoms may weaken and return with renewed vigor. Their severity depends on the degree of the bend and its cause. When cholecystitis worsens, the patient's skin becomes ashy-pale, the child feels sick, has a bitter taste in the mouth and regular belching.

Complications and consequences

Hepatitis A, compared to other types of this disease, usually passes without consequences; in most children, liver function is completely restored; however, when superimposed on chronic diseases, chronic cholecystitis, pancreatitis or biliary dyskinesia may develop.

The most common complication of viral or bacterial intestinal infections is dehydration, which is caused by acute diarrhea and vomiting, and the course is complicated by the possible addition of another type of infection. The course of dysentery and salmonellosis depends on the type of pathogen and the added infection. Complications characteristic of dysentery are anal sphincter paresis and, as a result, prolapse of the rectal mucosa; paralytic or spastic intestinal obstruction. Infectious toxic shock is considered the most dangerous complication of salmonellosis.

The consequences of inflammation of the pancreas can be the formation of stones in the organ, a false cyst, inflammation of the peritoneum, pleurisy and even diabetes mellitus.

The most dangerous complication of gallbladder kinking is the formation of stones in the gallbladder or ducts.

[ 9 ], [ 10 ], [ 11 ], [ 12 ]

Diagnostics light-colored feces in a baby

If there is a suspicion that the reasons for the discoloration of feces are pathological, the child must be shown to a doctor and examined to determine the cause of the ill health.

After examination and listening to complaints, the child will be prescribed a set of diagnostic measures depending on the suspected diagnosis.

Laboratory tests will definitely be prescribed. In case of hepatitis, clinical and biochemical blood tests are done, enzyme immunoassay and the most modern, as well as accurate, RNA virus detection by polymerase chain reaction may be prescribed.

Methods for diagnosing dysentery include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of blood for the presence of antibodies, bacteriological examination of feces, serological method and polymerase chain reaction to determine the type of shigella.

In salmonellosis, bacteriological examination of vomit or fecal masses is mainly used for diagnostics, and in the generalized form, blood is also used. More modern express tests can also be used - enzyme immunoassay, latex agglutination reaction.

When dehydration occurs, its degree, blood viscosity, and electrolyte composition are determined.

To detect dysbacteriosis, a direct method is used (examination of the contents taken during fibrogastroscopy) or indirect diagnostic methods are used: microscopic examination of stool culture, hydrogen breath test, gas-liquid chromatography.

Pancreatitis is usually detected using clinical and biochemical blood tests, stool analysis for coprogram and lipidogram, and the degree of elastase-1 activity in feces.

In this case, instrumental diagnostics are prescribed - ultrasound examination and radiography of the abdominal organs, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

The main method for diagnosing a kink in the gallbladder is an ultrasound examination.

[ 13 ], [ 14 ]

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics are carried out to isolate the cause that led to lightening of the child's stool. Intestinal infections accompanied by diarrheal symptoms are differentiated after identifying the pathogen; they also need to be distinguished from acute appendicitis, an attack of cholelithiasis, poisoning with mushrooms, organophosphorus, and heavy metal salts. It is also necessary to determine the type of pathogen to select treatment tactics.

Pancreatitis is differentiated from peptic ulcer, renal or biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, appendicitis, and intestinal obstruction.

Treatment light-colored feces in a baby

The parents' actions directly depend on the child's condition. If unusually light-colored stool is the only worrying sign, nothing needs to be done. The child is active, eats well and does not complain about anything - we observe, remember what he ate, in short, we take a wait-and-see attitude.

What to do if a child has light-colored stool?

Pathological causes of light-colored stool in a child are usually accompanied by some other symptoms - diarrhea and abdominal pain with intestinal infections, dark urine with hepatitis, pancreatitis and torsion of the gallbladder also cause significant discomfort, which attracts attention and is a reason to seek help.

In children, Botkin's disease often occurs in a mild form with not very pronounced symptoms. Its first signs are precisely a change in the color of feces. If the child has become quieter, calmer than usual, went to bed at an unusual time for himself, or a couple of days ago he had a high temperature, and now everything seems to have returned to normal, we examine the urine. Dark brown urine the color of strong beer is a reason to see a doctor. You can do a home test for yourself - drop Belizna or another detergent containing chlorine into dark urine. Brown-green color of urine indicates that it contained bilirubin, a normal reaction - the color will become even more saturated brown. Naturally, a diagnosis cannot be made based on such an "analysis", but it is necessary to seek medical help.

Hospitalization for mild forms of hepatitis A is not necessary. The child can be left at home, providing him with isolation, rest, and dietary ration No. 5 (excluding fatty, fried, egg yolks), as well as regular monitoring of the biochemical composition of the blood. If you notice the child's illness early, even in the pre-icteric stage, then the fight of his body with the virus will take about a month. Other forms of hepatitis are less likely, but more dangerous, so early diagnosis will in any case contribute to recovery with the least consequences for health.

There are no special medications for the treatment of Botkin's disease. The treatment is symptomatic, its goal is to reduce the effect of toxic substances accumulated in the body, restore tissues and ensure normal liver function. The modern approach to the treatment of hepatitis is individual prescriptions of the optimal minimum to relieve painful symptoms.

In the treatment, drugs from the group of hepatoprotectors are used, which promote the reparation and renewal of damaged hepatocytes, restore the metabolism of fats and proteins, their oxidation. Due to this action, the normal cellular structure of the liver is naturally restored, and there is no dystrophic change in its tissues. The drug of choice in the treatment of hepatitis is Essentiale Forte. It contains essential phospholipids, completely identical to endogenous ones in structure, but superior to them in the concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are embedded in the membranes of hepatocytes damaged by viruses and restore cellular integrity, promoting natural processes of cell renewal and normalization of metabolic processes. The drug is taken one or two capsules three times a day.

To remove toxins from the intestines and prevent flatulence, enterosorbents are prescribed two hours after each meal, for example, Polyphepan, which binds and removes any toxic substances that have entered the digestive tract. The active ingredient of the drug is lignin, which is of plant origin, does not disrupt the intestinal microbiocenosis, and also promotes its natural restoration, due to the elimination of toxic elements. Promotes healing, restoration of tissues and their functions, and an increase in one's own immunity.

Vitamins A, E, C, rutin, and group B are necessarily included in the treatment regimen.

In moderate and severe forms, drugs containing digestive enzymes are used (Creon, Mezim), a sharp deterioration in the patient's condition requires more intensive therapy - glucocorticoids are used, reducing the effect of pro-inflammatory factors and the immune response, which additionally damages hepatocytes affected by viruses (Methylprednisolone). The patient is prescribed drip infusions of detoxifying solutions, for example, Hemodez and choleretic agents (Sorbitol). Immunomodulators can be prescribed to improve immunity.

Medicines from the enterosorbent group are also prescribed for intestinal, viral and bacterial infections. Since the body loses a lot of water, salts, and electrolytes as a result of vomiting and diarrhea, active rehydration therapy is carried out. For example, a child is given Regidron, which prevents dehydration. A packet of powder is diluted in a liter of boiled water at room temperature and given to the child to drink (no more than 50 ml at a time). The drug is taken every 30 minutes until the child drinks the entire portion. Diet food is given in small portions (if the child is able to eat), if he refuses, do not force him.

Probiotics are used to restore the normal microflora of the esophageal canal, for example, Bifiform, Linex, enzymatic preparations. Depending on the condition, antipyretics or antispasmodics are prescribed.

There is no specific drug that destroys rotavirus. The child's symptoms are relieved by using a minimum of drugs as needed.

Salmonellosis may require more serious rehydration therapy, as does dysentery, using drip infusions or jet injection of isotonic polyionic solutions. In severe forms, antibiotic therapy and probiotics may be prescribed.

Moderate dysentery is treated with nitrofurans, such as Furazolidone. In low doses, the bacteriostatic and in high doses, bactericidal action of the active component is based on its ability to combine with nucleic acids of bacterial cells and disrupt the production of certain proteins, which disrupts the reproduction of microorganisms and leads to their death. Nitrofuran also increases the activity of immune cells and reduces the production of toxic substances by bacteria. The pediatric dose is calculated depending on the child's age and weight. The drug can cause allergies and adverse effects on the digestive system, but very rarely. It is not prescribed to children under one month of age.

An alternative to taking antibiotics is taking bacteriophages. There are both salmonella and dysentery bacteriophages. These drugs are viruses that selectively parasitize bacterial cells. The product of genetic engineering, deprived of its own cellular structure, settles in a suitable cellular organism. The result of their vital activity is the destruction and death of the "inhabited" bacteria. This is a new word in conservative medicine.

Bacteriophages have the following advantages over antibacterial drugs: they do not have an immunosuppressive effect; bacteria do not develop resistance to them; they cope well with the therapy of sluggish bacterial infections resistant to antibiotics; they act selectively only on pathogenic microbes; they do not have a long list of contraindications.
Dysbacteriosis in children is treated in stages. First, nutrition is adjusted to improve the microecological conditions in the intestines - preparation for colonization with beneficial bacteria. Food should be dietary, complete and conducive to the growth and reproduction of the necessary microflora. Porridge, rye bread, fresh fruits and vegetables, fermented milk products, nuts should be present. At the second stage, bacteriophages are prescribed, the next stage is the colonization of the intestines with beneficial microflora by taking probiotics, both with a strain of one species and several.

The final stage is therapy with enzyme preparations and immunostimulants.

Treatment of inflammation of the pancreas in childhood is usually carried out using conservative methods and is aimed at ensuring functional rest of the organ, eliminating the symptoms and causes of the disease.

To relieve acute symptoms, the child is hospitalized, bed rest and therapeutic fasting for one or two days are mandatory. During this period, the child drinks alkaline mineral water, is prescribed dextrose solution, detoxification and other therapy as indicated. After fasting, a gentle diet is prescribed.

The therapeutic regimen may include painkillers and antispasmodics, antihistamines, drugs that inhibit the production of gastric juice and pepsin activity, such as Famotidine. To compensate for pancreatic dysfunction, the enzyme drug Pancreatin is prescribed. Hormonal anti-inflammatory therapy, antibiotic therapy, and drugs that improve blood circulation and tissue respiration (Pentoxifylline) are administered as indicated. If therapy is ineffective, surgical treatment may be performed.

A kink in the gallbladder that is detected in time usually responds well to treatment. The child needs to adhere to a dietary regimen. The therapeutic regimen tries to include the necessary minimum of medications: herbal choleretic infusions, antibiotics, probiotics.

Whipple's disease is rare, poorly understood, and therefore difficult to diagnose. Previously, patients died from this disease, but with the advent of antibiotics, the prognosis became more optimistic. There are known cases of cure.

Herbal treatment

Folk experience of using medicinal herbs for diseases of the digestive system is very rich. If light-colored stool in a child is caused by pathological reasons, it is possible and necessary to use herbal medicine. Official medicine also gives preference to herbal preparations when it comes to treating a child. You can use only them, you can combine them with medications, but always after consulting with your doctor.

From the very beginning of the disease (even in the pre-icteric stage of viral hepatitis), it is recommended to drink a lot of liquid. This can be an infusion of rose hips. Crushed dried fruits in the volume of a tablespoon are placed in a glass jar or enamel mug and poured with two glasses of boiling water. Place in a saucepan with hot water and simmer in a water bath for a quarter of an hour. Allow to cool to a warm state, strain. Take the infusion 1/3-1/4 cup three times a day before meals.

Crushed dry watermelon seeds are brewed overnight in a thermos, observing the proportions - 20g per 200ml of water, filtered in the morning and consumed 50ml three times during the day.

One teaspoon of a herbal mixture of equal parts of barberry, juniper berries, wormwood and yarrow herbs, birch leaves is brewed with a glass of boiling water, filtered after half an hour and drunk twice a day, half a glass at a time.

In case of intestinal infections, you also need to drink a lot to compensate for fluid loss. Infusions of medicinal plants will replenish the loss of vitamins and minerals in addition to fluid.

For dysentery, traditional medicine recommends drinking tea from dried blackberries or blueberries. Stems and seeds of horse sorrel are brewed. This tea is drunk on an empty stomach once in the morning. Also, burdock leaf juice has a therapeutic anti-dysentery effect; it is taken before meals, one teaspoon or dessert spoon three times a day.

Royal jelly prevents the growth and development of salmonella, simultaneously strengthening the immune system. Take one teaspoon and dilute it in 100 g of liquid honey. It is recommended to use it once a day, on an empty stomach, sublingually. In general, honey has a beneficial effect on the digestive organs, if tolerated, it can be used to sweeten infusions of medicinal plants.

Patients with salmonellosis are recommended to brew tea from a herbal mixture. It is prepared from the following ingredients: half a teaspoon of rosemary and sage, as well as a full teaspoon of chamomile flowers per serving. Brew with 200 ml of boiling water, let cool to a warm state. Sweeten with honey before use.

A decoction of blackthorn twigs that grew on a bush a year ago helps with pancreatitis. In the evening, take a dozen of these twigs, break them into pieces about 4 cm long, pour two liters of boiling water in an enamel pan, put on the fire and let it boil. Boil over low heat for three quarters of an hour, leave to infuse overnight. In the morning, strain and take half a glass before three meals half an hour. Warm each portion before taking. After each dose, massage the pancreas in a circular motion clockwise. The procedures must be performed for ten days.

In case of a kinked gallbladder, it is recommended to use an infusion of a mixture of rose hips, mint and birch leaves, and St. John's wort before each meal. Dry crushed plants are mixed in equal parts, then four teaspoons of the mixture are brewed in a thermos overnight with ½ liter of boiling water. In the morning, strain and drink during the day in small portions.

Homeopathy

Homeopathic medicines occupy a special place in pediatric practice. The absence of side effects and mild action increase their value in the treatment of a child's body, not yet damaged by taking many medications. Almost all homeopathic medicines are used in the treatment of diseases of the digestive organs, their complications and consequences. Classical homeopathic treatment has no age restrictions and can be prescribed from birth. The key to successful treatment is the prescription of the drug by a specialist. Self-medication can not only be useless, but also cause serious harm to the body.

Complex homeopathic preparations can be used in treatment regimens for pathological causes of light-colored stool in children. The most versatile preparation that can be used for hepatitis, pancreatitis, and gallbladder kinks is Hepel. Contains eight active ingredients in different homeopathic dilutions that have a complex effect on the digestive system and normalize its functions.

Lycopodium clavatum – is prescribed for any liver pathologies and dyspeptic disorders.

Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) – hepatitis, jaundice, bitterness in the mouth, inflammation of the gallbladder and bile ducts, pain and colic.

Cinchona (China) – acute diarrhea, dyspepsia, dehydration, bloody diarrhea.

Milk thistle (Carduus marianus) – liver diseases, including those accompanied by congestion.

White hellebore (Veratrum album) – diarrhea, vomiting, collapse in gastrointestinal disorders.

Bitter gourd (Citrullus colocynthis) – pain and spasms of the digestive tract and bile ducts.

Nutmeg (Nux moschata) – dyspeptic disorders, accompanied by severe gas formation, weakness of the intestinal muscles.

White phosphorus (Phosphorus) – relieves spasms of the smooth muscles of the digestive tract, used for severe infections and cachexia.

The drug is used for any diseases of the liver, gall bladder, dysbacteriosis, stimulates the detoxification function of the liver.

The drug is available in ampoules for injections and tablets. Injection is performed in any way, the dosage is based on the age group: from birth to one year of age, the dose of the drug is one sixth of the ampoule contents, 1-2 full years - a quarter of the ampoule, 3-5 full years - half, from the age of six, a single dose is a whole ampoule. Injections are made once or twice a week, relief of acute cases allows daily use. The solution can also be used orally.

You can use the tablet form. The pills dissolve completely under the tongue at least a quarter of an hour before or an hour after meals. Children from the age of six can be given a whole tablet. For small children, a single dose is ground into powder and diluted in clean boiled water as follows: from birth to one year of age, a quarter of a tablet per teaspoon of water; 1-2 full years - half per two spoons; 3-5 full years - ¾ per three spoons. Frequency of administration - three times a day. Acute symptoms are relieved by taking a single dose every quarter of an hour, but not more than two hours in a row, then switch to the usual regimen.

To achieve a rapid and lasting effect from treatment of liver cellular structure lesions, Hepel is prescribed in combination with injections of Injel Hol, which complements its action in viral hepatitis, and Helidonium Gomacord N, which has a pronounced choleretic effect. The same combination is recommended for inflammation of the gallbladder and other processes accompanied by bile stasis.

In case of viral hepatitis, a combination of the drug Injel-Khol, which restores liver cells damaged by viruses, promotes their regeneration, prevents bile stagnation, can be prescribed in combination with the drug Engystol, which quickly and effectively stops inflammatory processes, removes intoxication by activating the body's own immunity, and has an indirect antiviral effect.

In case of pancreatic pathologies, it is recommended to prescribe Hepel in combination with Hepar suis Injel and Ceanothus Gommacord.

Depending on the prevailing symptoms, other drugs that restore normal functioning of the digestive system, Hepar compositum, Spascuprel may be prescribed. Doudenohel in combination with Hepel is used for gallbladder diseases, and in combination with Spascuprel - for pancreatic diseases.

The main thing is not to self-medicate, the medications should be prescribed by a doctor, and the dosage and duration of the course of treatment should be determined. In general, homeopathic therapy helps to significantly reduce the doses, and sometimes completely avoid taking medications that have powerful side effects, such as glucocorticosteroids.

Prevention

The main prevention of the occurrence of pathological causes of light-colored stool in a child is rational baby nutrition. This will help to avoid many troubles: disruption of the intestinal microbiocenosis, excess weight, sometimes leading to torsion of the gallbladder, excess sweets in the child's diet, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis of pancreatitis. A balanced diet containing the necessary proteins, vitamins and minerals, as well as the permissible norm of fats and carbohydrates will make the child's immunity higher, and the body stronger, which will allow it to resist infections.

It is also necessary to monitor the child's physical and neuropsychic stress, try to avoid stressful situations. Observe and teach the child the basic rules of sanitation and hygiene, which will significantly reduce the risk of contracting intestinal infections.

If symptoms resembling liver or gastrointestinal diseases appear, consult a doctor and do not self-medicate. A disease treated in time usually does not remind of itself anymore.

[ 15 ], [ 16 ], [ 17 ]

Forecast

Basically, with timely access to a doctor, all diseases that cause light-colored stool in a child are successfully cured. Botkin's disease usually does not proceed severely in children and liver function is completely restored within a year. Other hepatitis, and the most likely of them are forms B and C, are not so contagious, their virus must enter the bloodstream directly. However, with a healthy lifestyle, people who have suffered from them live quite a long and full life.

Intestinal infections (dysentery, salmonellosis, rotavirus) also have a favorable prognosis. Mortality from them is low, about 2% of cases, mainly children with weakened health, who were not very conscientiously cared for.

Dysbacteriosis is not a disease at all, but a condition of the intestinal microflora, which is completely recoverable, but the probability of getting Whipple's disease is extremely small.

[ 18 ], [ 19 ]