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What Should I Do About Camphylobacter Associated Diarrhea In My Child?

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Posted on Fri, 20 Oct 2023
Question: My son is burping a lot and he gags as the burp comes up. He can't eat- hasn't eaten for 2 months. He was hospitalized and they found campylobacter in his faeces. He's had weeks of diahhroea but I wonder where the mushy diahhroea has come from if he hasn't eaten anything. Drinking water is hard for him. We barely get through 600ml per day He is 14 years old and currently 64kg, 167.5cm tall. In the last 2 months he has lost 13kgs.
One doctor says he has compacted faeces and we did some colon cleansing and fleet enemas in the initial phase but when he got too dehydrated I stopped and took him to the hospital. What should I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Camphylobacter associated diarrhea as per reports.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for choosing us for your query my dear patient,

Have seen your details.
Most likely the child is having bacterial gastroenteritis.

Bacteria causes inflammation in intestines therefore every moment of intestine would cause pain or spasm.As intestines are inflamed large amount of mucous would be secreted along with improper water absorption causing stools to be watery.There is no need to eat for diarrhoea the inflammed intestines would secrete lots of secretion which would be mucous like watery in nature.

The food and intestinal contents are acted upon by these toxic bacteria's and causes it to ferment producing large amount of toxic gases which escapes in form of burp. Gaging could be due to the formation of excessive acid in stomach as a result of over all poor digestion.

When digestion is not fine body would be malnourished hence would loose weight.
So what i would suggest you is to get Electral/ORS solution from local store/pharmacy and give him at least 200ml after every motion. Water is to be clean (less ppm).
Tab imodium 4mg thrice daily to stop stools.Its over the counter. Things would be much better after 2nd dose.
Any probiotic can be taken twice daily to replete the good bacteria of gut.
The above medicines are over the counter.

If you can manage get a prescription for him-
Cefiximine 200mg twice daily(main stay of treatment,unless and until toxic bacteria's are killed condition would not improve).
Once bacteria is neutralised things would improve.
Follow up after 5 days of antibiotic therapy.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (18 hours later)
I assume you read the discharge papers and you saw he has Epilepsy and is on a ketogenic diet.
As a part of that diet he had MCT oil and olive oil as his fat content. He was eating
4 parts of fat:1 part of carb + protein. I am still giving him the MCT oil whilst he is not eating. This keeps the seizures at bay, even though I know fat is an irritant for an inflamed bowel. I don't know how to avoid this.
My question is am I doing his intestinal track a lot of harm by giving him MCT on an empty stomach. (MCT oil goes from the small intestine to the liver directly.) My next question is, I've read that the anti epileptic drug Sodium Valproate and MCT combined, has in some cases caused liver damage. Is the reason why XXXXXXX has elevated liver enzymes because of this combination or can they be elevated because of the campylobacter infection?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again ,
Yes my dear i had already read every thing attached by you,
Giving medium size triglycerides have no effect on his gut flora.A little stomach discomfort could be there but when given in high doses.
2)Valproate is metaboliosed by liver and usually drug of choice in case of seizure in childs.As per theory it could cause damage to liver in long runs however with valproate patient is advised to repeat liver function tests once every six month. MCT is something which is related to diet or nutrition so a better answer can be given by nutritionist.Liver toxicity is one of the most common side effects of sodium valproate. His enzymes are raised due to valproate(may be to a insignificant extent due to oil).
Ask his neurologist to lower the doses of valproate or shift him on Lamotringine or phenytoin for few weeks.
Secondly with these drugs give him liver rejenuvating supplements like Milk of thistle once daily.
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2907 Questions

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What Should I Do About Camphylobacter Associated Diarrhea In My Child?

Brief Answer: Camphylobacter associated diarrhea as per reports. Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for choosing us for your query my dear patient, Have seen your details. Most likely the child is having bacterial gastroenteritis. Bacteria causes inflammation in intestines therefore every moment of intestine would cause pain or spasm.As intestines are inflamed large amount of mucous would be secreted along with improper water absorption causing stools to be watery.There is no need to eat for diarrhoea the inflammed intestines would secrete lots of secretion which would be mucous like watery in nature. The food and intestinal contents are acted upon by these toxic bacteria's and causes it to ferment producing large amount of toxic gases which escapes in form of burp. Gaging could be due to the formation of excessive acid in stomach as a result of over all poor digestion. When digestion is not fine body would be malnourished hence would loose weight. So what i would suggest you is to get Electral/ORS solution from local store/pharmacy and give him at least 200ml after every motion. Water is to be clean (less ppm). Tab imodium 4mg thrice daily to stop stools.Its over the counter. Things would be much better after 2nd dose. Any probiotic can be taken twice daily to replete the good bacteria of gut. The above medicines are over the counter. If you can manage get a prescription for him- Cefiximine 200mg twice daily(main stay of treatment,unless and until toxic bacteria's are killed condition would not improve). Once bacteria is neutralised things would improve. Follow up after 5 days of antibiotic therapy. Regards.