Question
A three-month-old baby has undergone a stool test and been found to have an increased number of white blood cells. The doctor has prescribed gentamicin sulfate granules, to be taken twice a day. Can these be given to the child?
Answer
The normal stool should contain very few or no white blood cells. When an increase in white blood cells is detected, it usually indicates inflammation in the small intestine or colon, such as enteritis or colitis. If eosinophils also increase, it may suggest allergic colitis or parasitic infection. At this point, antibiotics can be used for anti-inflammatory purposes, but caution is needed when administering antibiotics to a three-month-old baby. It is recommended to use cephalosporin antibiotics instead of gentamicin sulfate, as the latter may not be suitable for infants. Follow the doctor’s advice and closely observe the baby’s reaction.