Gastroenteritis in children
Gastroenteritis is an infection of the bowel that causes diarrhoea and sometimes vomiting.
Gastroenteritis is most commonly caused by viruses but can also be caused by infections with bacteria or parasites. Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children.
What are the symptoms of gastroenteritis?
As well as diarrhoea (more frequent or watery bowel movements) and vomiting, children may also have fever and abdominal pains. The bowel motions may also contain mucus or blood.
The major concern is that children with gastroenteritis may become dehydrated (dry) because they lose too much fluid through vomiting and diarrhoea. Babies and young children are particularly prone to dehydration.
The main symptoms of dehydration are being thirsty and not passing very much urine. Signs of dehydration may include dry mouth, sunken eyes, lethargy or drowsiness, rapid breathing, and cold hands or feet.
Diagnosis
Other illnesses can also present with vomiting and diarrhoea, so it is important that your child is assessed by the doctor so that the correct diagnosis is made. Your doctor will firstly take a history and examine your child. They may send a sample of a bowel movement to the laboratory for analysis.
Treatment of gastroenteritis
Children with mild gastroenteritis may be cared for at home. The main treatment is to keep the child drinking fluids, to replace those lost through vomiting and diarrhoea.
Suitable fluids may include breast milk, oral rehydration fluids available from the chemist (e.g. Gastrolyte, Repalyte or Hydralyte), or clear diluted fluids, such as diluted fruit juice. Your doctor will advise as to the type of fluid and how much to give in your child’s case.
Children with more severe gastroenteritis may need to be admitted to hospital to be given fluids via a nasogastric tube (a tube through the nose into the stomach) or intravenous fluids (through a drip into a vein).
Gastroenteritis was once treated by withholding food. However, it is now suggested that children may be offered easily digested foods once vomiting has stopped, and that food should not be stopped for longer than 24 hours.
Medications to stop vomiting and diarrhoea should not be given to children, as they are not helpful and may be harmful.
Prevention
Gastroenteritis can be easily passed on, so children with gastroenteritis should not go to school or childcare, or mix with other children.
It is also important that you wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before food preparation and after changing nappies, to help prevent spread of infection.
An oral vaccine against rotavirus is now available free of charge for Australian babies born after 1 May 2007.
Last Reviewed: 27 July 2007
