Patient's question:
The child just born doesn't know what's going on, there are always red spots on their body, and they are spitting up milk. What about the green stool?Doctor's answer:
The color of feces is related to the chemical changes of bile. In the upper small intestine, it appears yellow-green due to the effects of bilirubin and biliverdin. When it reaches the colon, biliverdin is reduced to bilirubin, turning the stool yellow. Breastfed infants have acidic stools, which can turn bilirubin into biliverdin under the action of oxidative bacteria, so their normal stools are slightly green. However, formula-fed infants have alkaline stools, which can be further reduced to colorless stercobilin, making their stools lighter in color. If a formula-fed infant has green stools, it may indicate accelerated intestinal peristalsis or intestinal inflammation, a sign of diarrhea. Based on your description, your child's diarrhea may be due to enteritis. It is recommended to check a stool routine.For children with diarrhea accompanied by a cold, the following medications are suggested:
- Dobuphen-pseudoephedrine dispersible tablets: 1/2 tablet per dose, three times a day
- Vitamin C: 1/2 tablet per dose, three times a day
- Ribavirin granules: 25 mg per dose, three times a day
- Smecta: 1/2 packet per dose, three times a day
- Lactulose: 1 tablet per dose, three times a day
The following are my general observations and suggestions on diarrhea, hoping they will be helpful to you:
The most common causes of infant diarrhea are indigestion and enteritis. If a child's stool contains bubbles, it often indicates indigestion. Only when digestion is poor does the child produce more food residue, which is fermented by intestinal bacteria to produce gas, resulting in bubbly stools. Additionally, bubbly stools may also be related to excessive air swallowed by the child due to prolonged crying.
If the child also has vomiting, with the vomit having an acidic odor or undigested milk curds, or if the child has abdominal distension (the abdomen is higher than the chest when lying flat), and the stool contains bubbles but no mucus or blood, with increased frequency but still yellow or slightly green, or loose and watery consistency, it is likely indigestion. In this case, you can give some digestive water to help, or use Lactobacillus acidophilus to adjust the intestinal flora, and Smecta to stop diarrhea.
If the child also has severe vomiting, even vomiting immediately after eating, or intermittent crying that can be relieved on its own, with significantly changed stool consistency (e.g., resembling egg drop soup or watery, with mucus), it is more likely to be enteritis, which requires prompt medical attention. A stool routine test can help with diagnosis.
If the child has persistent crying during diarrhea and appears lethargic, with tomato-juice-like stools, it could indicate intussusception. If the stool also has a very foul odor, it could suggest necrotizing enteritis. Some children may also develop diarrhea after drinking cold tea. If the child has indeed consumed cold tea before the diarrhea, this is more likely the cause. It is recommended to avoid giving the child excessive cold tea in the future.
Improper introduction of complementary foods, such as adding them too quickly, too much, or too early, can also cause diarrhea.
In terms of care:
When a child has enteritis, digestion is impaired, so you can give some pepsin or digestive water to help, such as "Digestive Water." If the child is formula-fed, it is recommended to use a formula specifically designed for diarrhea. If it is not available, dilute the milk slightly. If the child is breastfed, the lactating mother should follow a light but nutritious diet, avoiding greasy foods. The mother can also take "Chang Le Kang" to support the child's recovery, as I advocate "mother-child co-treatment" for diarrhea.
Additionally, frequent bowel movements can cause discomfort to the child's bottom. It is recommended to avoid wrapping the child's bottom too tightly to prevent them from getting cold. When cleaning the bottom, use water as much as possible. If using a cloth, avoid rubbing and instead gently press, as the child's delicate skin is prone to tearing, which can cause severe crying. If the child cries uncontrollably, check if the skin is red, as they may be uncomfortable.
To prevent diaper rash, apply a layer of ointment, such as tetracycline ointment or eye ointment, after each cleaning. Also, change the diaper promptly and let the bottom air out to prevent the ammonia released from urine and feces from irritating the delicate skin.
I hope this explanation addresses your questions.