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Suggest Treatment For Frothy Stool In Child

Posted on Mon, 26 Oct 2015

Question: My daughter is four and half months old. She has green frothy stool 4-5 times since 9-days. Doctor has initially subscribed "Ascazin" and "Lactaze". But the condition has not improved. So now he has subscribed antibiotic (Colistin Sulfate for Oral Suspension U.S.P) and "Bifilac". Should I give her antibiotic or wait for some more days. She has no fever.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please do not use antibiotics - answer my questions

Detailed Answer:
Hi...DO NOT USE ANTIBIOTICS AT THIS AGE GROUP.

I have a few questions for you -

1. Does the loose stools occur soon after feeding?
2. Is the kid passing urine normally (frequency and quantity)?
3. Is there any blood in the motion?
4. Is the tummy distended?
5. Does he have any green or bilious vomiting?

Please get back to me with answers to above questions and I will be glad to help you out.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (29 minutes later)

1. Does the loose stools occur soon after feeding?
Ans: Yes

2. Is the kid passing urine normally (frequency and quantity)?
Ans: Yes (Around 10 to 12 times)

3. Is there any blood in the motion?
Ans: No

4. Is the tummy distended?
Ans: No

5. Does he have any green or bilious vomiting?
Ans: No vomiting

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Its not diarrhea - its gastrocolic reflex

Detailed Answer:
Hi....
What your kid is having is not a diarrhea and is only a gastro-colic reflux. It is quite common for babies of this age group t pass small amount of diarrhea or loose stools soon after feeds. This need not be treated as diarrhea and especially antibiotics are not indicated.

When the baby takes milk , the stomach expands - then when it is contracting it sets off a wave form which moves down the intestines and when that wave reaches the lower down rectum, a small quantity of the stool is evacuated out. This is the basis for gastro-colic reflex. Do not worry.

Unless the kid's having low urine output or very dull or excessively sleepy or blood in motion or green bilious vomiting...you need not worry.

No need to use any medicines for this.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.
Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (18 minutes later)

Thanks for your clarification.
Till how long "gastro-colic reflex" exists in infants?

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
4-7 MONTHS OF AGE

Detailed Answer:
Hi...It can be there till 4-7 months of age. I have seen it going on in some babies without hampering the growth or development. So do not worry about it.

MOST OF ALL - IT DOESN'T REQUIRE ANY MEDICATIONS - ESPECIALLY ANTIBIOTICS.

If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.

In this way even in health care magic you can follow up always with a single doctor who knows the history of your kid completely.

Please find the link below -
www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar