Children with intestinal infections due to lack of nutrients

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Tran Thi Linh Chi - Head of Pediatrics - Neonatology Department - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital

Intestinal infection is a very common gastrointestinal disease in children. Characteristic manifestations of the disease are usually signs of watery or mucous diarrhea, which usually occurs continuously for a few days. Intestinal infections are transmitted primarily through the gastrointestinal tract through ingestion, by ingesting food or water containing pathogenic bacteria, or by contact with contaminated surfaces. Organisms including bacteria, yeast or parasites are all contributors to intestinal infections.
Intestinal infections are common in children under 2 years of age, making the digestive system disordered, reducing the rate of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, leading to children having reduced resistance and susceptibility to dangerous diseases such as dysentery, cholera, and dysentery. , chronic colitis, ... In particular, if the intestinal infection lasts long and has severe manifestations such as prolonged diarrhea, it will cause weakness, coma and even life-threatening symptoms. children if they do not receive timely rehydration and electrolyte treatment.

Children with a lack of nutrients will lead to growth retardation, malnutrition, and even weakening of the immune system. In particular, infection and malnutrition have a close relationship with each other. Malnutrition is a major cause of immunodeficiency worldwide, with five infectious diseases accounting for more than half of all deaths in children <5 years of age, most of which are caused by malnutrition. Micronutrient deficiencies have effects such as poor growth, intellectual impairment, increased mortality and susceptibility to infections. Because micronutrients have a relationship with antibody formation and immune system development.
Inadequate diet leads to weight loss, reduced immunity, mucosal damage, invasion by pathogens, impaired growth and development in children. Thus, nutritional deficiencies in children can increase the risk of intestinal infections and will also contribute to an increased risk of malnutrition.
Impaired absorption due to repeated intestinal infections often occurs in children with low dietary intake. In malnourished children, intestinal infections are even more serious due to diarrhea, imbalance of beneficial and harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract, malabsorption, loss of appetite, and diversion of nutrients. for immune response and urinary nitrogen loss. All lead to nutrient loss and further damage to defense mechanisms.
In addition, micronutrient deficiencies lead to malnutrition and repeated intestinal infections that reduce nutrient availability due to intestinal malabsorption, increased metabolic requirements, and increased losses (digestion). inflammatory or exudative bleeding) and disturbances in nutrient absorption and transport. These effects are also influenced by host-pathogen-intestinal microbiota interactions that are still poorly understood (e.g., host–pathogen–plant–mucosal interactions or competitive nutrients)

When children have intestinal infections, proper nutrition and targeted nutritional interventions play an important role in the prevention and treatment of the disease. Besides, a nutritious diet will help strengthen immunity, increase beneficial bacteria and repel harmful bacteria in the intestinal tract. Some measures to help prevent intestinal infections are as follows:
Immediately after birth, breastfeed your baby as soon as possible, exclusively breastfeed for the first 6 months of life, and only give complementary foods when the baby is 6 months old. age (because babies under 6 months old do not have enough enzymes to digest foods other than breast milk, this leads to digestive disorders and damage to their immature intestinal tract). For children who have stopped breastfeeding, build a reasonable complementary diet, each meal must contain 4 groups of substances including protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals. When preparing food for children, it is necessary to ensure that the ingredients are fresh and clean, and that the food is cooked thoroughly and hygienically. When making powdered milk for children to drink, parents need to pay attention to the correct dosage and manufacturer's instructions on the packaging. Also, don't give your baby formula that has been left out for more than an hour. Using bottles to make milk, pacifiers must be washed and sterilized before and after use. Teach your children the habit of washing their hands with antibacterial soap and water at times such as before eating and after going to the toilet. Do not allow children to suck their thumbs or bring toys to their mouths. At the same time, regularly disinfect surfaces of household objects and children's toys. When children have signs of intestinal infection, parents need to take the child to see a doctor and take medicine as prescribed by the doctor, do not arbitrarily give the child any medicine because it can make the condition worse, causing many problems. difficult to diagnose and treat.
In summary, intestinal infections and poor diet are closely related. Poor nutrition in children can increase the risk of intestinal infections. A prolonged intestinal infection and severe manifestations such as prolonged diarrhea will cause weakness, coma and even life-threatening for the child. Therefore, to effectively prevent diseases, build a reasonable diet for children. When a child has an intestinal infection, it is advisable to take the child to a medical facility for examination, diagnosis and appropriate treatment, and at the same time avoid the risk of spreading it to others.
For more nutritional knowledge and child care for each age, parents should regularly visit the website vimec.com and make an appointment with the leading doctors, pediatric and nutrition experts of the National General Hospital. Vinmec when needing advice on children's health.