Question
My baby is five and a half months old and has suddenly started having diarrhea! He usually drinks formula milk and has a bowel movement once a day in the morning, but tonight his stool was watery and jettisoned! Yesterday, he was treated for a cold at the hospital, where he received intravenous fluids and anti-inflammatory treatment.
Answer
Childhood diarrhea, also known as indigestion, is a gastrointestinal disorder caused by dysfunction of the spleen and stomach. The disease is common in infants under 2 years old, especially during the summer and autumn seasons. Diarrhea can usually be caused by bacteria or viruses, such as the rotavirus that causes respiratory infections entering the intestines and leading to diarrhea. Non-infectious diarrhea may be due to overly cold, overly hot food, or poor digestion. Since infants’ gastrointestinal tracts are not yet mature and they secrete fewer digestive enzymes, they are more prone to indigestion and diarrhea.