Signs your baby's digestive system needs help (1 of 2)

Signs that your baby's digestive system needs help:

There are a number of conditions that can affect a child's digestive health, and while some symptoms might be unmistakable to most parents, a child with a tummy ache or constipation won't always let Mum or Dad know that something is wrong.

It's not always obvious

Vomiting, or being sick, and diarrhoea are common symptoms of an infection of theintestines known as gastroenteritis – or more commonly a "stomach bug". Almost all children in the UK will have a rotavirus infection (a form of gastroenteritis) before their fifth birthday, and most children will get some form of gastroenteritis at least once a year, so most parents already have – or will have – first-hand experience helping their children cope with these symptoms.

However, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation and tummy ache are all digestive symptoms that could be signs of another problem. Other conditions that can cause digestive problems include:

• Food intolerance or allergy
• Coeliac disease
• Crohn's disease
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• An obstruction of the bowel
• Pancreatitis
• Urinary tract infection
• Hepatitis
• Ulcerative colitis
• Congenital bowel or liver disorders

It's not always obvious continued...

Some of these problems may be related to food. For example, Norma McGough, director of policy, research and campaigns at Coeliac UK, explains: "Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by eating gluten. It causes damage to the gut and has a range of gut symptoms." The child may also be lethargic and have a lack of appetite.

A child can only be tested for coeliac disease, Ms McGough points out, "oncegluten containing foods have been introduced into a child's diet".

At a loss for words

Some children – especially younger ones who may not know how to describe what is wrong – may have tummy aches (abdominal pain) and not be able to tell their parents, but instead they become sulky without their parents knowing why. They may turn into fussy eaters, picking at their food. A food intolerance or allergy can be the cause of tummy aches, butanxiety can cause tummy aches too.

As many as 1 in 10 children in the UK between the ages of 4 and 14 may have frequent bouts of recurrent abdominal pain (at least three episodes within 3 months).

Dr Nick Read, medical adviser for The IBS Network, says: "It is likely that this represents a form of irritable bowel syndrome and is usually triggered by stress in the home or at school and/or food intolerance."

When it's time for help

With symptoms ranging from a mild tummy upset to severe diarrhoea, it's a good idea to know which signs of a digestive health problem mean you should consult your GP or get emergency help.

Mild cases of an upset tummy or a typical case of flu can usually be treated at home without the need of medical advice. However, here is some guidance on when to get help if your child has any of the following common symptoms:

Vomiting

Children can vomit for many reasons – they have a stomach bug or travel sickness, from coughing or eating too much, or if they become over-excited, nervous or worried. However, vomiting can be a sign of a more serious condition such as appendicitis, meningitis or a blockage in the intestines.

When to seek medical advice: If a baby under 1 year old is sick and has vomited at least three times within 24 hours, or vomiting lasts for more than a day, contact your GP or health visitor. If a toddler has diarrhoea and vomiting at the same time, contact your GP. Vomiting in an older child due to a stomach bug usually lasts 1 to 2 days and should stop within 3 days. If vomiting in an older child lasts for more than 2 or 3 days, consult your GP.

In addition, if there is blood in the vomit, you think your child is dehydrated (see below) or appears confused or drowsy, or if vomiting occurs along with severe tummy ache or a raised temperature, contact your GP.

You should also consult your GP if your child has a chronic health condition such as diabetes or heart or kidney problems, is sick as a side effect of chemotherapy or other medical treatment, or has been travelling abroad.

Diarrhoea

Having unformed watery stools (poo) and more frequent bowel movements means that it is likely your child has diarrhoea. Along with vomiting, it is often a symptom of a stomach bug (gastroenteritis), and in this case diarrhoea can last 5 to 7 days and usually stops within 2 weeks. However, diarrhoea could also be a symptom of Crohn's disease, coeliac disease or IBS.

Dr Read explains: "Irritable bowel syndrome can be triggered by stress in the home or at school or eating too much fruit or rich food".

Some children, especially those from Asian, African or southern European backgrounds, may be lactose intolerant (they don't have enough of the enzyme needed to digest certain dairy products), and in these children milk and some dairy products can provoke bouts of diarrhoea.

A baby with diarrhoea is more at risk of dehydration (see below).

When to seek medical advice: If a babyhas six or more bouts of diarrhoea within 24 hours, contact your GP or health visitor. In toddlers and older children, consult your GP if he or she has diarrhoea for more than 2 or 3 days, it is particularly watery or has blood in it, if your child is also vomiting, or if he or she has a continuous or severe tummy ache. In addition, consult your doctor if your child has recently travelled abroad.

Contd.....