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What Causes Persistent Diarrhea In Infant?

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Posted on Tue, 1 Dec 2015
Question: hi,
my daughter is 5 months old. she is having loose motions from past 15-17 days (8-9 times a day).
consulted a pediatrician, he prescribed zorno - 5 days, he suggested there is an infection.
it was all ok till the time medicine was given. again loose motions, this time he asked to do stool tests which suggested infection (bacteria- preset, occult blood - present, bacteria - present, pus cells- 35-40). he prescribed taxim-o for 5 days(during this period as well she was passing loose motions).
yesterday morning the medicine dose was over. Still her loose motion persisted.
we did stool test on our own to see the changes. the things highlighting are occult blood - present, bacteria - present, mucus - present, pus cells - occassional
she is on breastmilk and 2 times dexolac XXXXXXX formula in entire day.

should we consult another peditrician?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Changing over to a different antibiotic might be helpful.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

A pus cell count of 35-40/hpf in stool microscopy definitely indicates an infection and requires to be treated with antibiotics. If the antibiotic Taxim-O has been able to provide relief, chances are that a different antibiotic needs to be used due to the sensitivity profile of this bacteria. You may talk to your present pediatrician about the change of antibiotics. Alternatively, you can also consult somebody else for the same resolution.

The occult blood in stool is due to the infection itself. Treating the infection would resolve the problem. Had the occult blood not been there, it could be assumed that the body has the capacity to control the infection on its own. But in this case an antibiotic is needed.

Try to switch exclusively to breast feeding. The top feeds are usually the source of such infections. If you still need to give top feeds, be sure to include Oral rehydration solution (ORS). It is important to monitor the urinary frequency. A reduced frequency of passage of urine indicates the requirement of intake of more fluids.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (27 minutes later)
Hi,

Thanks for the answer, just a quick question - if the pus cells shown are occasional in todays report do you still feel the infection is present. And she has been on antibiotics for 10 days now, will giving more antibiotics would hamper her health?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (18 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It means that there is nothing to worry about

Detailed Answer:
If pus cell count in occasional in today's report, it means that there has been a response to the antibiotic and no change of antibiotics is required. Just continue the same antibiotic for 4 more days before stopping completely. In that case, I do not think that another pediatrician needs to be consulted.

Giving antibiotics will not hamper her health.

Regards
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
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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What Causes Persistent Diarrhea In Infant?

Brief Answer: Changing over to a different antibiotic might be helpful. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. A pus cell count of 35-40/hpf in stool microscopy definitely indicates an infection and requires to be treated with antibiotics. If the antibiotic Taxim-O has been able to provide relief, chances are that a different antibiotic needs to be used due to the sensitivity profile of this bacteria. You may talk to your present pediatrician about the change of antibiotics. Alternatively, you can also consult somebody else for the same resolution. The occult blood in stool is due to the infection itself. Treating the infection would resolve the problem. Had the occult blood not been there, it could be assumed that the body has the capacity to control the infection on its own. But in this case an antibiotic is needed. Try to switch exclusively to breast feeding. The top feeds are usually the source of such infections. If you still need to give top feeds, be sure to include Oral rehydration solution (ORS). It is important to monitor the urinary frequency. A reduced frequency of passage of urine indicates the requirement of intake of more fluids. Let me know if I could help further. Regards