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What Causes Mucus Filled Foamy Watery Stool In An Infant?
Question: Hello doctor,
My baby boy is exactly 6 months old has loose stools since Last 8 days. Initially he had 4 stools a day...he use to sleep all night without having any poo....but since last 3 days he is even getting up at night for motion. Motions are with mucus....cough like things are also coming out... Plus foamy watery stool sometimes black n now green. 2 days back we got his stool test done below are the results.
Colur- brown
Consistancy- semiformed
Mucus present, few pus cells( 2-5 hpf) present in mucus.
Ph- 6, occult blood ( diet related) - trace.
Also to mention he is vomiting 1 or 2 times in a day. He also caught cold 12 days back. No running nose but noisy chest...
My baby boy is exactly 6 months old has loose stools since Last 8 days. Initially he had 4 stools a day...he use to sleep all night without having any poo....but since last 3 days he is even getting up at night for motion. Motions are with mucus....cough like things are also coming out... Plus foamy watery stool sometimes black n now green. 2 days back we got his stool test done below are the results.
Colur- brown
Consistancy- semiformed
Mucus present, few pus cells( 2-5 hpf) present in mucus.
Ph- 6, occult blood ( diet related) - trace.
Also to mention he is vomiting 1 or 2 times in a day. He also caught cold 12 days back. No running nose but noisy chest...
Brief Answer:
Infective gastroenteritis episode
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and the report. I completely understand your concerns. Most likely cause of these symptoms is a gastroenteritis episode. Most common reason is a self limiting viral infection. But since the stools of your baby have mucus and pus cells, there is a possibility of infective diarrhea which needs a proper course of antibiotics.
I see such patients regularly in my clinical practice and recommend the following measures:
1. Start Ofloxacin-ornidazole Syrup (Ornof-OZ or O2) for a duration of 5 days.
2. Give Zinc supplements ( ZnD or Zinconia) 5 ml once daily for next 14 days. It helps in resolving the infection and building up immunity against such episodes. In case of vomiting, you may start it after vomiting episodes subside.
3. You may give Syp. Emeset or Domperidone for vomiting episodes if they occurs.
4. Syp. Acetaminophen will be helpful for fever spikes which are more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Repeat it after 6-8 hours if required.
5. Also, probiotic such as enterogermina once daily will be useful.
5. And the most important thing is regular hygienic feeds and oral rehydration therapy to prevent dehydration.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be happy to help you out in any further questions.
Take care
Infective gastroenteritis episode
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
I have gone through your question and the report. I completely understand your concerns. Most likely cause of these symptoms is a gastroenteritis episode. Most common reason is a self limiting viral infection. But since the stools of your baby have mucus and pus cells, there is a possibility of infective diarrhea which needs a proper course of antibiotics.
I see such patients regularly in my clinical practice and recommend the following measures:
1. Start Ofloxacin-ornidazole Syrup (Ornof-OZ or O2) for a duration of 5 days.
2. Give Zinc supplements ( ZnD or Zinconia) 5 ml once daily for next 14 days. It helps in resolving the infection and building up immunity against such episodes. In case of vomiting, you may start it after vomiting episodes subside.
3. You may give Syp. Emeset or Domperidone for vomiting episodes if they occurs.
4. Syp. Acetaminophen will be helpful for fever spikes which are more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Repeat it after 6-8 hours if required.
5. Also, probiotic such as enterogermina once daily will be useful.
5. And the most important thing is regular hygienic feeds and oral rehydration therapy to prevent dehydration.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be happy to help you out in any further questions.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Doc.,
Thanks for ur reply.
I am already giving him
1. Lactic acid bacillus with vitamins and zinc- brand name Rinifol- z
2. ORS
3. Occasionally only when vomits too much- domperidon
My doctor hasn't started with antibiotics.
Is the treatment good or should we get antibiotics started??
Also, he seems otherwise fine....playing. But not putting on enough weight.
Thanks for ur reply.
I am already giving him
1. Lactic acid bacillus with vitamins and zinc- brand name Rinifol- z
2. ORS
3. Occasionally only when vomits too much- domperidon
My doctor hasn't started with antibiotics.
Is the treatment good or should we get antibiotics started??
Also, he seems otherwise fine....playing. But not putting on enough weight.
Brief Answer:
Start antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It's good if you already started Zinc supplement, probiotics, ORS and domperidone.
Since most cases of gastroenteritis in this age group are due to viral infections, we do not advice to start antibiotics. But the colour and consistency of your baby's stools along with his stool report ( presence of mucus, pus cells and trace occult blood) suggests a possible bacterial or protozoan infection. So, I would recommend you to start antibiotics as I had suggested earlier. Don't worry, he will be fine and his appetite should also improve once the infection completely subsides.
Take care
Start antibiotics
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It's good if you already started Zinc supplement, probiotics, ORS and domperidone.
Since most cases of gastroenteritis in this age group are due to viral infections, we do not advice to start antibiotics. But the colour and consistency of your baby's stools along with his stool report ( presence of mucus, pus cells and trace occult blood) suggests a possible bacterial or protozoan infection. So, I would recommend you to start antibiotics as I had suggested earlier. Don't worry, he will be fine and his appetite should also improve once the infection completely subsides.
Take care
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
Answered by
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