Question
Why does an infant’s stool appear foamy, and how should it be treated?
Answer
Infants’ stool with a foamy consistency may be due to either physiological diarrhea or pathological diarrhea. Physiological diarrhea is often caused by the presence of more lactose in breast milk. This lactose is broken down by lactase in the intestines, producing acid and gas, which stimulate the intestines, resulting in stool that appears loose and foamy. An excess of starch or sugars in food can also increase fermentation in the intestinal tract, leading to dark brown, water-like foam in the stool. Pathological diarrhea may be caused by viral enteritis, such as rotavirus, where medical treatment is limited. If bacterial enteritis is suspected, the stool should be sent for bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, and treatment with sensitive antibiotics should be administered based on the results. In terms of home care, you can try using 500 milliliters of boiling water, 1 cap of toothpaste’s worth of salt, and 10 grams of sugar, administered in divided doses