White feces in a baby

Small children have different colors of stool: from light yellow to brown - it all depends on the child's diet. Usually this does not cause any concern, but the appearance of white feces alarms parents and makes them contact a pediatrician, is this normal? This approach is quite justified, since the reasons for the discoloration of feces may not be entirely harmless and will require the intervention of specialists.

Causes white feces in a baby

A visit to the doctor will most likely begin with finding out what has changed in the child’s diet, since switching to a new formula and consuming large amounts of dairy and fermented milk products can give the stool this color.

But more likely are disorders in the baby's body. The most common causes of white stool in a child are:

• dysbacteriosis;
• hepatitis;
• obstruction of the biliary tract; [ 1 ]
• rotavirus infection;
• Whipple's disease (frequent urge to empty the bowels, up to 10 times a day, with foamy, frequent stools). [ 2 ]

Risk factors

One of the risk factors for the appearance of white stool is the use of certain medications, in particular aspirin and paracetamol. When the treatment is stopped, the color takes on a normal shade for the child. Products rich in calcium can also trigger its appearance.

Pathogenesis

The color of feces is due to the presence of the pigment stercobilin, the end product of bile metabolism. Its absence indicates that

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

Symptoms white feces in a baby

There are various deviations related to the color and structure of feces. Most often, parents' complaints are related to the following problems:

• white worms in a child's stool - indicate the presence of pinworms. They get inside through the mouth, infection occurs through contact with objects, bedding, toys and even dust containing worm eggs. Reproducing in the large intestine, helminths crawl out of the anus and can be found not only in the feces, but also crawling in the anus, while the child scratches, because their movements cause itching;
• white lumps and grains in the baby's stool - reminiscent of pieces of cottage cheese. Occurs in both breastfed and bottle-fed infants and indicates overeating or the inclusion of new foods in the diet, for example, when introducing complementary feeding;
• white mucus in a child’s stool 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 overdone it with cottage cheese, milk, light cereals and several days pass and the color does not change, then the problem may be quite serious and correspond to the reasons listed above;
• white threads in the child's stool - the appearance of white streaks can be a harmless phenomenon associated with the intake of food that is unusual for the body, immaturity of the fermentation system, or indicate pathologies such as dysbacteriosis, colitis, intestinal candidiasis;
• white liquid feces in a child is a signal of stomach upset or digestive system pathologies, especially if accompanied by vomiting and fever. The most dangerous disease in which feces resemble rice broth is cholera, which still makes itself known 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, no fever most likely indicate dysbacteriosis, which will pass over time. This color of feces can also be caused by the food of a nursing mother, if the woman eats a lot of vegetables, including leafy ones;
• white fibers, flakes in the baby's stool - with such manifestations, the adaptation of the baby's digestive system may occur, unless his health suffers. Over time, the body will adapt to digesting new foods and the consistency and color will return to normal;
• white film in a child's stool - its appearance is associated with the release of mucus, which can be both a pathological sign and a normal phenomenon accompanying the development of food processing by the digestive organs;
• White stool, vomiting and fever in a child are alarming signals that require immediate response. 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 a child, if it is not accompanied by diarrhea, vomiting. Monitoring the baby's behavior, necessarily feces, measuring the temperature will make it possible to take timely measures and avoid dangerous aggravation of pathologies, including preventing dehydration.

Diagnostics white feces in a baby

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

• general and biochemical blood analysis;
• urine analysis;
• coprogram is the most informative analysis, since food, going through a long path of transformation, gives an idea of the work of the entire digestive system: from entering the stomach to the formation of feces in the intestines;
• others if necessary. [ 3 ]

Instrumental diagnostics may include ultrasound of the abdominal organs, MRI, and CT.

The symptom of white feces in a child is differentiated from all possible pathologies that are the causes of such manifestations: infections, inflammations, pathological formations.

Treatment white feces in a baby

Treatment depends on the diagnosis, each problem has its own protocol, which provides for a comprehensive approach to the treatment of the disease. Thus, when parasites are detected, they are eliminated using medications, folk remedies, there are no drugs to treat rotavirus infection that kill it, and actions are aimed at maintaining water-salt balance, preventing the development of a secondary bacterial infection.

In case of pancreatitis, intestinal dysbacteriosis, enzyme preparations are prescribed to improve digestion and intestinal microflora. Antibiotics are used to combat infectious processes, and enterosorbents are used to remove toxins. The liver is supported with hepatoprotectors in case of hepatitis, preferably plant-based.

To restore normal microbial flora, bacterial preparations are taken.

• Medicines

There are several groups of drugs for enterobiasis (pinworms) with different active ingredients, but a single principle of action - suppression of enzyme production, without which they cannot live and reproduce. Among them, vermox, gelmedazole, pyrantel, nemozole, etc. are popular. [ 4 ]

Vermox - tablets, the active substance is mebendazole. It is indicated for children from two years of age. One tablet is enough to overcome helminthic invasion, as a preventive measure, it is repeated once every 2-4 weeks. Before use, for the convenience of small children, it is crushed. Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. Vermox is well tolerated, side effects were rarely observed: diarrhea, abdominal pain.

Creon is a popular enzyme preparation suitable for children. It is made in the form of capsules from the pancreas of pigs. For children under 4 years old, the single dose is calculated as 1000 U of lipase enzyme per kilogram of weight. It is taken during or immediately after meals. Side effects include nausea, epigastric pain, constipation or diarrhea, bloating, and skin rashes. The drug is contraindicated in case of allergy to its components.

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

Nifuroxazide - suspension is taken regardless of food. Contraindicated for children under 2 years old, 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). The duration of the course is no more than a week. The drug can cause urticaria, skin itching, nausea, vomiting, increased diarrhea.

Of the enterosorbents, Polysorb MP, Smectite, and Smecta are used for children.

Polysorb MP is a powder for suspension, a single dose is prepared by mixing a teaspoon of the product with a glass of water. Not prescribed to children under one year old, in the period from 1 to 7 years, 150-200 mg per kg of body weight can be taken per day, divided into 3-4 doses; after 7 years - 12 g one hour before meals. Contraindicated for use in peptic ulcer disease, intestinal obstruction. May cause constipation.

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

Hepel is a complex homeopathic preparation. Children under 12 are recommended to grind the tablet and mix it with 20 mg of water. A child under one year is given one small spoon at a time, 1-6 years - 2 spoons, 6-12 years 3 spoons, 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, contraindicated in case of allergy to the components.

To stabilize and maintain the balance of intestinal microflora functions, microbial preparations are prescribed: Linex Baby, Lactobacterin, Enterol.

• Vitamins

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

• Physiotherapy treatment

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

• Folk remedies

Folk recipes can be used for children only with the permission of a doctor. Thus, dysbacteriosis at home is treated with decoctions of chamomile, oak bark, St. John's wort. Garlic, carrot juice with honey, pumpkin seeds are taken from worms. An infusion of dill seeds helps to reduce intestinal bloating.

Choleretic herbs (knotweed, dandelion, juniper berries) are used for children only after 12 years of age, and the adult dose is reduced by 2 times.

• Surgical treatment

Surgical intervention is possible in case of gallstones. By eliminating the obstruction of the bile ducts, the functions of the digestive organs are improved, the color and consistency of the stool are normalized.

Prevention

Nursing mothers should monitor their diet, exclude spicy, sour, salty, fried foods from the menu. Feeding older children also needs to be properly organized, using dietary products. 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 for white stool in a child with accompanying symptoms is generally favorable, provided that a doctor is consulted in a timely manner.