If your child is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, fever and abdominal pain, she is likely suffering from the second most common illness in the United States after upper respiratory infections. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach. Viral gastroenteritis, otherwise known as the stomach flu, is a common viral infection that can be caused by a number of different viruses. Food reactions also can cause gastroenteritis. While usually self-limited, gastroenteritis can cause dehydration in infants and, in some types of bacterial infections, more serious illness.
Dietary Causes
Viruses are one of the main causes of gastroenteritis. Rotavirus and norovirus, which often occur in densely populated places such as military installations, colleges and cruise ships, are common viral offenders. Viral infections can be transmitted via direct contact or through food. More serious bacterial offenders that can cause gastroenteritis through foods include E. coli, shigella, salmonella, staphylococcus or campylobacter. Intestinal parasites in food can also cause the infection. Infants may also develop gastroenteritis from new foods that irritate their stomachs. Some breast-feeding infants may even develop gastroenteritis as a reaction to something their mother has eaten.
Symptoms
Diarrhea and vomiting, two of the main symptoms of gastroenteritis, can occur along with bloating and abdominal cramping. Fever may or may not occur and is usually low-grade, if present. Nausea or a lack of appetite and refusal to eat may precede vomiting in an infant. Do not force food if your infant refuses to eat, but try to maintain fluid intake. Seek medical attention if your child will not take any liquid, if he becomes lethargic or develops signs of dehydration such as dry skin, sunken soft spot or sunken eyes. Also call if diarrhea or vomitus is bloody or if your infant has a fever more than one day.
Dietary Treatment
Treatment for gastroenteritis involves letting the stomach settle down and get rid of the virus. Over-the-counter oral electrolyte replacement solutions may be best tolerated and best for maintaining hydration if your child has vomiting and diarrhea. Give small sips frequently and follow your medical provider's instructions on how much fluid to give during the day. Avoid high-sugar foods such as gelatin or soda as well as milk, which can be hard to digest and worsen symptoms. If your child's symptoms are mild, she may be able to tolerate regular breast-feeding or formula feeding without becoming worse. When starting foods, start regular foods as soon as possible, just restricting high-fat items. Because the diet is low in protein and lacks vital nutrients, the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce and toast is no longer recommended, reports pediatrician William John Cochran of the Geisinger Clinic in Pennsylvania.
Prevention
Use good handwashing techniques to prevent spreading viral or bacterial gastroenteritis to other members of the family. Handling food without washing your hands can pass an infection on to those who consume the contaminated food. Introduce new foods to an infant's diet slowly so that if gastroenteritis does develop, it's easier to identifying the offending food. Don't let foods sit out as bacteria can multiply more easily in food that's not refrigerated.
