White feces in a child

In young children, bowel movements are of different colors: from light yellow to brown - it all depends on the nutrition of the child. Usually this does not cause any anxiety, but the appearance of white feces alarms parents and makes them consult a pediatrician, is this normal? This approach is justified, because the causes of stool discoloration may not be completely harmless and will require specialist intervention.

Causes of the white feces in a child

Surely a visit to the doctor will begin with finding out what has changed in the child’s diet, because the transition to a new milk mixture, the consumption of a large number of dairy and sour-milk products can give feces such a color.

But more likely are violations in the body of the baby. The causes of white feces in a child most often become:

• dysbiosis;
• hepatitis;
• obstruction of the biliary tract; [1]
• rotavirus infection;
• Whipple's disease (frequent urge to empty the intestines, up to 10 per day, with foamy frequent feces). [2]

Risk factors

One of the risk factors for white stool is taking certain medications, in particular aspirin and paracetamol. With the cessation of treatment, the color acquires the usual shade for the child. Calcium-rich foods can also be an impetus for its appearance.

Pathogenesis

The color of feces is ensured by the presence of the stercobilin pigment in it - the final product of bile metabolism. His absence indicates that

Bilirubin, which is involved in the formation of pigment, from the liver along with bile does not enter the small intestine, which means that there are certain malfunctions in the digestive organs.

Symptoms of the white feces in a child

There are various deviations associated with the color and structure of feces. Most often, parent complaints are related to the following issues:

• white worms in the feces of a child - indicate the presence of pinworms. They enter through the mouth, infection occurs through contact with objects, bedding, toys and even dust containing worm eggs. Breeding in the colon, helminths crawl out of the anus and can be found not only in the feces, but also crawling in the anus, while the child itches, because their movements cause itching;
• in the feces of a child, white lumps and grains resemble fragments of cottage cheese. They occur in infants, both breast-feeding and artificial, and talk about overeating or the inclusion of new foods in the diet, for example, when feeding is introduced;
• white mucus in the feces of a child - may be the first sign of a bacterial infection, especially against the background of diarrhea or food allergies;
• the child has almost white feces - if you have not gone too far with cottage cheese, milk, light cereals and several days pass, and the color does not change, then the problem can be quite serious and correspond to the reasons listed above;
• white strings in the child’s feces - the appearance of white veins can be a harmless phenomenon associated with the ingestion of food unusual for the body, the immaturity of the fermentation system, or indicate pathologies such as dysbiosis, colitis, intestinal candidiasis;
• white liquid feces in a child is a signal of indigestion or pathology of the digestive system, especially if accompanied by vomiting, temperature. The most dangerous disease in which feces resemble rice broth is cholera, which still makes itself felt from time to time in different parts of the world;
• white-green feces in a child - an admixture of green without signs of pain, crying, and a lack of temperature most likely indicate a dysbiosis that will pass over time. The food of a nursing mother can also cause this color of feces if a woman eats a lot of vegetables, including leafy ones;
• white fibers, flakes in the feces of a child - with such manifestations, the adaptation of the baby's digestive system can take place, if only his well-being does not suffer. Over time, the body will adapt to the digestion of new foods for itself and the consistency and color will return to normal;
• a white film in the feces of a child - its appearance is associated with the release of mucus, which can be both a pathological symptom and a normal phenomenon that accompanies the formation of food processing by the digestive organs;
• white feces, vomiting and temperature in a child are alarming signals that require an immediate reaction. They indicate the presence of rotavirus infection, hepatitis, acute pancreatitis and some other dangerous pathologies.

Complications and consequences

The appearance of white feces does not necessarily entail consequences and complications in the child, if it is not accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting. Monitoring the behavior of the baby, necessarily for feces, measuring the temperature will make it possible to take timely measures and avoid dangerous aggravations of pathologies, including preventing dehydration of the body.

Diagnostics of the white feces in a child

Diagnosis of the disease consists in a comprehensive examination, including a number of necessary tests, instrumental research. The basic set of laboratory methods is as follows:

• general and biochemical blood analysis;
• Analysis of urine;
• coprogram is the most informative analysis, as food, passing a long way of transformation, gives an idea of the work of the entire digestive system: from getting into the stomach to the formation of feces in the intestine;
• if necessary others. [3]

From instrumental diagnostics, you may need an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity, MRI, CT.

The symptom of white feces in a child differentiates with all possible pathologies that are the causes of such manifestations: infections, inflammation, pathological formations.

Treatment of the white feces in a child

Treatment depends on the diagnosis, each problem has its own protocol, providing an integrated approach to the treatment of the disease. So, when parasites are detected, they are eliminated with the help of medical, alternative means, there are no drugs to treat rotavirus infection that kill it, and actions are aimed at maintaining the water-salt balance, preventing the development of secondary bacterial infection.

With pancreatitis, intestinal dysbiosis, enzyme preparations are prescribed that improve digestion, intestinal microflora. Antibiotics are sent to fight infectious processes, and enterosorbents are used to eliminate toxins. The liver with hepatitis is supported by hepatoprotectors, best of all on a plant basis.

To restore normal microbial flora, bacterial preparations are taken.

• Medication

From enterobiosis (pinworms), there are several groups of drugs with different active ingredients, but a single principle of action - suppressing the production of enzymes, without which they can not live and multiply. Among them, vermox, gelmedazole, pyrantel, nemozole, etc. Are popular. [4]

Vermox - tablets, the active substance mebendazole. It is shown to children from the age of two. One tablet is enough to overcome helminthic infestation, as a prophylaxis, they are repeated once after 2-4 weeks. Before use, for convenience, small children are crushed. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Vermox is well tolerated, side effects have rarely been observed: diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Popular enzyme preparations suitable for children include creon. It is made in the form of capsules from the pancreas of pigs. For children under 4 years of age, the dose at one time is calculated as 1000 PIECES of lipase enzyme per kilogram of weight. Reception is carried out with meals or immediately after it. Of the side effects, nausea, epigastric pain, constipation or diarrhea, bloating, and skin rashes were observed. The drug is contraindicated in case of allergies to its components.

Antibacterial therapy in children is carried out using the following antibiotics: cefixime, azithromycin, co-trimoxazole, nifuroxazide.

Nifuroxazide - suspension is taken without regard to meals. Children under 2 years old are contraindicated, after this age - 5 ml three times a day. Children over 6 years old can take tablets (200 mg with a frequency of 4 times). Course duration no more than a week. The drug can cause hives, itchy skin, nausea, vomiting, increased diarrhea.

Of the enterosorbents for children, polysorb MP, smectite, and smectum are used.

Polysorb MP - powder for suspension, a single dose is prepared by mixing a teaspoon of the product with a glass of water. Do not prescribe to children up to a year, in the range of 1-7 years per day, 150-200 mg per kg of body weight can be used, divided into 3-4 doses; after 7 years - 12g an hour before meals. Contraindicated for use in peptic ulcer, bowel obstruction. May cause constipation.

Of the hepatoprotectors, hepel (from birth), galstena (from 2 years), and havitol (from 6 years) are used.

Hepel is a complex homeopathic medicine. Children under 12 years of age are recommended to grind the tablet and mix it with 20 mg of water. A child under one year old is given one small spoon once, 1-6 years - 2 tablespoons, 6-12 years old 3 tablespoons, after 12 years one tablet under the tongue. Hepel is taken 3 times a day 15-20 minutes before meals or an hour after. Hypersensitivity reactions are possible, it is contraindicated in case of allergy to components.

To stabilize and maintain balance, the functions of the intestinal microflora are prescribed microbial preparations: linex baby, lactobacterin, enterol.

• Vitamins

Children with digestive disorders, diseases of the liver, gall bladder need vitamins, and best of all, vitamin complexes, because beneficial substances are poorly absorbed. They must contain vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2 and others, necessary for the full development of children.

• Physiotherapeutic treatment

If the problems of the appearance of white feces and other symptoms of the pathology are associated with disorders of the liver and gall bladder, then physiotherapeutic methods such as cryotherapy, UHF therapy, magnetic resonance therapy, ultrasound therapy and others are successfully used to solve them.

• Alternative treatment

Alternative prescriptions can be applied to children only with the permission of a doctor. So, dysbiosis at home is treated with decoctions of chamomile, oak bark, St. John's wort. From worms take garlic, carrot juice with honey, pumpkin seeds. An infusion of dill seeds helps to reduce bloating.

Cholagogue herbs (knotweed, dandelion, juniper fruits) are applied to children only after 12 years, and the adult dose is reduced by 2 times.

• Surgery

Surgical intervention is possible for gallstones. Eliminating the obstruction of the bile ducts, the functions of the digestive organs are adjusted, the color and texture of the stool are normalized.

Prevention

Nursing mothers should monitor their nutrition, exclude from the menu spicy, sour, salty, fried. Feeding older children also needs to be properly organized using diet foods. It is necessary to monitor hygiene, clean hands, toys, the room in which the child lives, this will prevent infection with hepatitis A. Prevention of rotavirus infection occurs through vaccination.

Forecast

The prognosis of white feces in a child with concomitant symptoms is mostly favorable provided that a doctor is consulted in a timely manner.