By Noluthando Gweba
Diarrhoea, or runny tummy, in adults is usually not serious but in babies it can be fatal. A small baby with diarrhoea can very quickly get badly dehydrated because of loss of fluids and malnutrition, and this can result in death.
It is estimated that globally, seven babies die of diarrhoea every minute. Some of the main causes of diarrhoea are lack of clean drinking water, overcrowding, poor hygiene and failure to clean children's feeding utensils properly.
What is diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea is often caused by a virus in the stomach and it is sometimes accompanied by a slight fever and vomiting. If your child passes stools more than three times in 24 hours, and if they are thin and watery, it could mean they are suffering from diarrhoea and they should see a doctor as soon as possible.
It can also be caused by eating food that has reached its sell-by-date or has expired, or has been exposed to flies. Malnutrition can also cause diarrhoea in children.
Why is diarrhoea dangerous?
Diarrhoea and excessive vomiting cause children to lose the natural salts and water in their bodies. These are vital for the body to function properly. If they aren't quickly replaced, the body suffers from a dangerous lack of water known as dehydration.
Breast-feeding is best
Babies who are breast-fed do not often suffer from diarrhoea. If a breast-fed child passes frequent thick stools, it doesn't always mean that they have diarrhoea. Breastfed babies pass soft stools more often than those who are bottle-fed.
Consult a doctor or visit a local clinic if...
- Your baby does not urinate (no wet nappies) for more than seven hours
- Your child is crying without tears
- Your child's skin is pale or doesn't bounce back when you pinch it gently
- Her mouth is dry
- The soft spot on the top of the baby's head looks sunken
- The child doesn't have energy, lacking in alertness and interest in things around them
- He has been vomiting for more than a day.
- Information from rehydrate.org.
If you child has diarrhoea...
If your child has diarrhoea and is showing signs of dehydration, he or she must be taken to a doctor or clinic immediately.
It's very important that the fluid and salts that have been lost are replaced as soon as possible. If you can't get to the doctor immediately give the child rehydration solution that you can buy at pharmacy, or make your own.
To make your own rehydration solution:
Dissolve half of a teaspoon of salt and eight level teaspoons of sugar in one litre of safe, clean (boiled) water. Give the child very small amounts (about a teaspoon) frequently.