Infants’ diarrhea

Written by: Wahida Sabir

Diarrhea is a common disease in children, especially in infants. Up to 27 days of age, infants are said to defecate up to 7 times a day but if this condition persists after infancy and the child defecates watery more than 3 times a day, it is called diarrhea. If diarrhea lasts for two weeks, it might cause problems for the baby.

AEPO’s writer/producer has talked to some mothers and two physicians about this disease.

 A mother from Paghman district, Kabul province says, “Almost one year has passed that my baby is suffering from diarrhea and he is also suffering from diaper rash.” 

Another mother says, “My first baby had been more suffering from diarrhea and we took him to the hospital for essential treatment.”

A mother of a six-month baby says, “One month past since my baby is suffering from diarrhea.”

Doctor Shirnawaz Mandozai, a pediatrician at Indira Gandhi Children’s Hospital in Kabul city says, “Symptoms of persistent diarrhea that lasts for more than two weeks include thirst, skin wrinkles, anemia, and malnutrition.”

What do some parents think about the causes of infants’ diarrhea?

Fawad, a resident of Kabul province says, “I am the father of two children and I think if the parents do not give medicines according to the prescription of the doctor, the baby might suffer from diarrhea.”

A mother from Ghorband district, Parwan province says that her baby was suffering from diarrhea for about two months, but the doctors could not find the cause of it.”

Doctor Zalgai Lowang, a pediatrician at one of the private hospitals in Kabul city says, “Viruses, bacteria, and fungi are the main causes of diarrhea in infants, but the causes of persistent diarrhea are not considering the hygiene of the baby and mother, especially when feeding or breastfeeding the baby and not giving the medicines as the physician’s advice.”

How do some mothers treat their infants’ diarrhea?

A mother from Kandahar province says, “When I took my baby to the physician and I also gave him black Microban and rice water and he recovered from diarrhea.”

A mother, a resident of Kabul city says, “When any of my babies suffers from diarrhea, I give him/her rice water, green tea and ORS solution (Oral Rehydration Salts) and he/she recovers from diarrhea.”

Doctor Mandozai says, “Pre-boiled water, rice water, ORS solution, sweet yogurt, zinc pills are useful for infants diarrhea but if diarrhea persists, the infant must be taken to the doctor for essential treatment.”