What Causes Severe Diarrhoea In A Child?
Question: On Dec. 22 my 3 year old had watery diarrhea, fever of 102 and stomach cramps. We attributed it to a virus. The fever lasted 3 days. The watery diarrhea continued for a week to 10 days. On Dec. 27 and Dec. 28 she had several tablespoons of blood in her diaper mixed with her stool. We went to the hospital where they ran a C. Diff (negative), ROTA (negative), leukocytes (positive), stool culture (negative). They also did a CT scan with contrast to check for intususseption. That was normal other than minor thickening of the sigmoid colon indicating inflammation. That was also negative. CBC was normal. WBC count was normal. We were referred to a pediatric gastro. He was pretty sure that it was some sort of infection. Her stools returned to normal that day. XXXXXXX 5. Her stools have been normal since then as we have been restricting irritating foods. The gastro did mention ulcerative colitis could be a possibility if she didn't get better, but wasn't sold on that idea just yet. We decided to give her what she wanted to eat. Yesterday, her stool was loose again with what I thought may or may not have been a tiny streak of blood. I am wondering if the food could be irritating her colon since it just went through so much. I really don't want to put her through a colonoscopy and her gastro is happy to just wait and watch her since she has improved so much.
Just a little side note: She was breastfed for almost 3 years. While nursing she had no appetite and rarely ate food other than a bite here and there. Once she weaned she still had very little appetite, so we have had her on a meal replacement shake (Pediasure). She has been drinking these and snacking as her food for nearly the last year. Since this ordeal, I have stopped giving her the pediasure and she actually has been eating 3 meals per day. She has put on 2 lbs in the last 3 weeks and gained over an inch in height. Her gastro did say that with inflammatory bowel disease in most cases patients loose weight, not gain.
What is your opinion on this?
Just a little side note: She was breastfed for almost 3 years. While nursing she had no appetite and rarely ate food other than a bite here and there. Once she weaned she still had very little appetite, so we have had her on a meal replacement shake (Pediasure). She has been drinking these and snacking as her food for nearly the last year. Since this ordeal, I have stopped giving her the pediasure and she actually has been eating 3 meals per day. She has put on 2 lbs in the last 3 weeks and gained over an inch in height. Her gastro did say that with inflammatory bowel disease in most cases patients loose weight, not gain.
What is your opinion on this?
Brief Answer:
Looks like a recovering bacillary desentery
Detailed Answer:
Hi...1st of all I congratulate you for giving me all the information I need including weight gain, without me asking you to get back. I feel she's recovering from a acute bacillary dysentery or gut bacterial infection. Do not worry.
We can wait without going ahead with a scopy.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Looks like a recovering bacillary desentery
Detailed Answer:
Hi...1st of all I congratulate you for giving me all the information I need including weight gain, without me asking you to get back. I feel she's recovering from a acute bacillary dysentery or gut bacterial infection. Do not worry.
We can wait without going ahead with a scopy.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Thank you! How long does the colon take to recover from this? How long could the loose stool continue?
In your opinion this does not sound like inflammatory bowel disease, correct? This is my biggest fear.One more question....would it be normal while recovering to see a streak of blood every now and then in her stool?
In your opinion this does not sound like inflammatory bowel disease, correct? This is my biggest fear.One more question....would it be normal while recovering to see a streak of blood every now and then in her stool?
Brief Answer:
Suggestions on colitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
1. This is not inflammatory bowel disease for the reasons, the kid is not running temperature consistently/ no rash on skin or high shins/ joint pains and most importantly she's gaining weight.
2. It can take even 2 weeks for the colitis or bacillary dysentery to settle.
3. It is common for occasional blood streaks for about 2 weeks.
If all this symptoms persist for more than this consistently, with associated weights loss, then we will consider inflammatory bowel disease. Do not worry.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
Suggestions on colitis
Detailed Answer:
Hi....
1. This is not inflammatory bowel disease for the reasons, the kid is not running temperature consistently/ no rash on skin or high shins/ joint pains and most importantly she's gaining weight.
2. It can take even 2 weeks for the colitis or bacillary dysentery to settle.
3. It is common for occasional blood streaks for about 2 weeks.
If all this symptoms persist for more than this consistently, with associated weights loss, then we will consider inflammatory bowel disease. Do not worry.
Regards - Dr. Sumanth
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj