What Causes Foul Smelling Loose Stools In An Infant?

Posted on Sun, 8 Jan 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 8 Jan 2017 Answered on

Wed, 1 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,my baby is of 17days.suffering from infection having loose motions with foul smell.no fever and vomiting
Did stool culture reducing substancec,mucus and occult blood was present.dr prescribed prowel syrup and neopiptine syrup yest.when Will he will get relief from loose motion and wwhen will he recover

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is unlikely for a 17 days old baby to have infective diarrhea

Detailed Answer:
Hi... I understand your concern. But it is highly unlikely that it a 17 day old baby has infective diarrhea.

I have a few questions for you -

1. Is the baby exclusively breast fed?

2. Is the baby having low urine output?

3. Is the baby very dull or excessively sleepy?

4. Is there any blood in motion?

5. Is there any green or bilious vomiting?

Please get back to me with answers so that I can guide you better.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (32 minutes later)

It's pretty active
It's now on breast milk .in start milk was not there .
No vomiting.yesterday greenish yellow toilet.today yellowish

E.coli bacteria are found.no less urine output.it's frequently being passed

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
This is gastrocolic reflex - not infective diarrhea

Detailed Answer:
Hi...this is not infective diarrhea. This is a simple gastrocolic reflex. I will explain you what it is, so that you can be more confident.

Presence on E.coli in the stool sample is a normal finding. I have gone through the stool report you have uploaded. It is normal, do not worry.

This gastrocolic reflex does not require any medicines at all.

Gastro-colic reflux - It is quite common for babies of this age group to pass small amount of diarrhea or loose stools soon after feeds. This need not be treated as diarrhea and especially antibiotics are not indicated.

Unless the kid's having low urine output or very dull or excessively sleepy or blood in motion or green bilious vomiting...you need not worry.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 minutes later)

Then Dr will prowel syrup and neopiptine will help him .as he cries a lot .and I didn't understand what happens exactly to him in gastrocolic reflux

How will he recover .He starts crying in afternoon and ni8 a lot.what shod I do to help him .

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It's just a multivitamin and neopepetine an enzyme preparation

Detailed Answer:
Hi... Prowel syrup is just a multivitamin and neopeptine is an enzyme preparation. Both have not been scientifically established for this kind of Diarrhea and Gastrocolic reflex, but at the same time they are not harmful also. You may or may not use them. But medically they are not indicated in this situation.

I will explain you further regarding Gastrocolic reflex.

When the baby takes milk , the stomach expands - then when it is contracting it sets off a wave form which moves down the intestines and when that wave reaches the lower down rectum, a small quantity of the stool is evacuated out. This is the basis for gastro-colic reflex. Do not worry.

I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.

Once the page opens there will be an option below my image as – ASK ME A QUESTION – click on it.

In this way even in health care magic you can follow up always with a single doctor who knows the history of your kid completely. Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

So now how to make him feel relieved .how to help him to digest food.what shod I do to help him .I eat chapati ,rice dal with no mirchi ,and leafy vegetables with no mirchi

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please answer my questions

Detailed Answer:
Hi.... this is not related to your food you eat...do not avoid any food products, eat whatever you want.

I have one more question.... does he pass lots of gas or flatus...does he drink milk very fast and swallow air in the process of gulping?

Regards - Dr.. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (11 minutes later)

Yes sir.pls give dolutin to this pbm.I can't see my child so much crying .pls understand and help me out

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (10 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Evening colic is a possibility - Suggestions given

Detailed Answer:
Hi....This is called evening colic and is quite common in this age group. This happens when the baby sucks at the breast very fast and in eagerness to drink milk will gulp in air too. Unless the air comes out like burping or flatus this discomfort will be there and next time check if the baby is sucking too fast and gulping in air too. You will be more convinced. Usually I don't advice any medicines for this as they give only temporary relief.
The two best ways to relieve this distress is -
1. Do not put the baby in lying position after feeding till the baby burps out the swallowed air.
2. If still crying - put the baby in prone position and keep patting the back gently so that the baby passes off the flatus and gets relieved.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (14 hours later)

He has gained wt currently 2.9 kg .if he will gain his wt still more .his colic pbm will be solved

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Likely to be solved as he grows up

Detailed Answer:
Hi....I agree with you. As the baby grows up and gains weight, it is likely that the baby's colic might be solved. Don't worry if the baby is gaining weight appropriately.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar