Gastroenteritis bei Kindern

Was ist Gastroenteritis?

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the gut (intestines). It is common. Many children have more than one episode in a year. The severity can range from a mild tummy upset for a day or two with some mild diarrhoea, to severe diarrhoea and being sick (vomiting) for several days or longer. Many viruses, bacteria and other microbes (germs) can cause gastroenteritis.

Virale Infektionen

A virus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Rotavirus is the most common virus causing gastroenteritis in children in the UK. Almost every child in the UK has a rotavirus infection before they are 5 years old. Once you have had rotavirus, your body usually becomes immune to getting it again. Therefore, it is uncommon for adults to get rotavirus because most will have had it as a child.

Adenoviruses are another common group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis in children. Adenovirus and rotavirus infection are more common in infants and younger children than in teenagers.

Viruses are easily spread from an infected person to another by close contact. This is often because of the virus being present on the infected person's hands after they have been to the toilet. Surfaces or objects touched by the infected person can also allow transmission of the virus. The virus can also be passed on if the infected person prepares food. Outbreaks of a virus causing gastroenteritis can often occur - for example, in schools or hospitals.

Lebensmittelvergiftung

Lebensmittelvergiftung (from eating food infected with microbes) causes some cases of gastroenteritis. Food poisoning is usually caused by a bacterial infection. Common examples are species of bacteria called Campylobacter, Salmonellen und Escherichia coli (usually shortened to E. coli). Poisons (toxins) produced by bacteria can also cause food poisoning. Another group of microbes called parasites can also be a cause of food poisoning. Parasites are living things (organisms) that live within, or on, another organism.

Water contamination

Water contaminated by bacteria or other microbes is another common cause, particularly in countries with poor sanitation.

This is a general leaflet about gastroenteritis. Click the links for other leaflets that give more details about some of the different microbes that cause gastroenteritis.

• The main symptom is Durchfall, often with Übelkeit (Erbrechen) as well. Diarrhoea means loose or watery stools (faeces), usually at least three times in 24 hours. Blood or mucus can appear in the stools with some infections. Diarrhoea and vomiting may cause dehydration. Siehe auch das separate Merkblatt mit dem Titel Akuter Durchfall bei Kindern.

• Crampy pains in the tummy (abdomen) are common. Pains may ease for a while each time some diarrhoea is passed.

• Eine hohe Temperatur (Fieber), headache and aching limbs sometimes occur.

In most children, the symptoms are mild and they tend to get better within a few days. If vomiting occurs, it often lasts only a day or so but sometimes longer. Diarrhoea often continues after the vomiting stops and commonly lasts for between 5 to 7 days. Slightly loose stools may persist for a week or so further before a normal pattern returns. Sometimes the symptoms last longer.

Most parents recognise gastroenteritis in their children because of their typical symptoms. The symptoms will often be quite mild and commonly get better within a few days without any treatment, other than drinking plenty of fluids. You will often not need to take your child to see a doctor or seek medical advice.

However, in some circumstances, you may need to seek medical advice for your child (see below). If this is the case, the doctor may ask you questions about:

• Kürzliche Auslandsreisen.

• Whether your child has been in contact with someone with similar symptoms.

• Whether they have recently taken antibiotics.

• Whether they have recently been admitted to hospital.

This is to look for a possible cause of their gastroenteritis. They will usually examine your child for signs of lack of fluid in the body (dehydration). They may check their temperature and heart rate. They may also examine your child's tummy (abdomen) to look for any tenderness.

Sind Tests erforderlich?

Tests are not usually needed. However, in certain cases, the doctor may ask you to collect a stool (faeces) sample from your child. For example, if your child:

• Is particularly unwell.

• Has bloody stools.

• Is admitted to hospital.

• Has suspected food poisoning.

• Has recently travelled abroad.

• Has symptoms which are not getting better.

The stool sample can then be examined in the laboratory to look for the cause of the infection.

Most children who have gastroenteritis have mild symptoms which will get better in a few days. The important thing is to ensure that they have plenty to drink. In many cases, you do not need to seek medical advice. However, you should seek medical advice in the following situations (or if there are any other symptoms that you are concerned about):

• If your child is under the age of 1 year.

• Wenn Ihr Kind eine zugrunde liegende Erkrankung hat (zum Beispiel Herz- oder Nierenprobleme, Diabetes, Vorgeschichte einer Frühgeburt).

• Wenn Ihr Kind eine hohe Temperatur (Fieber) hat.

• If you suspect lack of fluid in the body (dehydration) is developing.

• Wenn Ihr Kind schläfrig oder verwirrt wirkt.

• If your child has stopped breastfeeding whilst they are unwell.

• If your child is being sick (vomiting) and unable to keep fluids down.

• Wenn Blut in ihrem Durchfall oder Erbrochenem ist.

• Wenn Ihr Kind starke Bauchschmerzen hat.

• Im Ausland eingefangene Infektionen.

• Wenn Ihr Kind schwere Symptome hat oder Sie das Gefühl haben, dass sich sein Zustand verschlechtert.

• If you child is passing less urine, or having fewer wet nappies than normal.

• Wenn sich die Symptome Ihres Kindes nicht bessern (zum Beispiel Erbrechen für mehr als 1-2 Tage oder Durchfall, der sich nach 3-4 Tagen nicht zu bessern beginnt).

• If your child has any symptoms of Sepsis. Please follow the link for more information or see the Child Sepsis Safety Net. Sepsis is a medical emergency and you should seek immediate medical attention.

Symptoms of gastroenteritis often settle within a few days or so as a child's immune system is usually able to clear the infection. Children can usually be treated at home. Occasionally, admission to hospital is needed if symptoms are severe, or if complications develop. For more advice about fluids and other treatments, please see the separate leaflet called Acute diarrhoea in children.

Medikamente sind normalerweise nicht erforderlich

You should not give medicines to stop diarrhoea to children under 12 years old. They sound attractive remedies but are unsafe to give to children, due to possible serious complications. However, you can give Paracetamol to ease a high temperature or headache.

Oral rehydration solution may be recommended by a medical professional if appropriate. These are specialist drinks which are designed to help with dehydration.

Complications from gastroenteritis in children are uncommon in the UK. They are more likely in very young children. They are also more likely if your child has an ongoing (chronic) illness such as diabetes, or if their immune system is not working fully. For example, if they are taking long-term steroid medication or they are having chemotherapy treatment for cancer. Possible complications include the following:

• Lack of fluid and salt (electrolyte) imbalance in the body (dehydration). This is the most common complication. It occurs if the water and salts that are lost in your child's stools (faeces), or when they have been sick (vomited), are not replaced by them drinking enough fluids. If your child drinks well, then it is unlikely to occur, or is only likely to be mild and will soon recover as your child drinks.

• Reaktive Komplikationen. Rarely, other parts of the body can react to an infection that occurs in the gut (intestines). This can cause symptoms such as joint inflammation (arthritis), skin inflammation and eye inflammation (either conjunctivitis or uveitis). Reactive complications are uncommon if it is a virus causing gastroenteritis.

• Persistierende Durchfallsyndrome may rarely develop.

  • Reizdarmsyndrom is sometimes triggered by a bout of gastroenteritis.

  • Laktoseintoleranz can sometimes occur for a while after gastroenteritis. It is known as secondary or acquired lactose intolerance. Your child's gut lining can be damaged by the episode of gastroenteritis. This leads to lack of a chemical (enzyme) called lactase that is needed to help the body digest a sugar called lactose that is in dairy products such as milk and yogurt. Lactose intolerance leads to bloating, tummy (abdominal) pain, wind and watery stools after eating or drinking food or drinks containing lactose. The condition gets better when the infection is over and the gut lining heals.

• Ausbreitung der Infektion to other parts of your child's body such as their bones, joints, or the meninges that surround their brain and spinal cord. This is rare. If it does occur, it is more likely if gastroenteritis is caused by Salmonellen spp. infection.

• Hämolytisch-urämisches Syndrom is a rare complication. It is usually associated with gastroenteritis caused by a certain type of E. coli infection - E. coli O157. It is a serious condition where there is anaemia, a low platelet count in the blood and kidney failure. If recognised and treated, most children recover well.

• Mangelernährung may follow some gut infections. This is mainly a risk for children in developing countries.

Gastroenteritis can very easily be passed on from person to person. Therefore, you and your child need to take measures to try to reduce this chance.

If your baby has gastroenteritis, be especially careful to wash your hands after changing nappies and before preparing, serving, or eating food. Ideally, use liquid soap in warm running water but any soap is better than none. Dry your hands properly after washing. For older children, whilst they have gastroenteritis, the following are recommended:

• Regularly clean the toilets used, with disinfectant. Also, clean the flush handle, toilet seat, sink taps, bathroom surfaces and door handles at least daily with hot water and detergent. Disposable cleaning cloths should be used (or a cloth just for toilet use).

• Wenn ein Töpfchen benutzt werden muss, tragen Sie Handschuhe, wenn Sie es handhaben, entsorgen Sie den Inhalt in einer Toilette, waschen Sie das Töpfchen dann mit heißem Wasser und Reinigungsmittel und lassen Sie es trocknen.

• Make sure your child washes their hands after going to the toilet. Ideally, they should use liquid soap in warm running water but any soap is better than none. Dry properly after washing.

• If clothing or bedding is soiled, first remove any poo or vomit into the toilet. Then wash in a separate wash at as high a temperature as possible. Do not fill the washing machine drum more than half full, so the items are washed as thoroughly as possible.

• Don't let your child share towels and flannels.

• Don't let them help to prepare food for others.

• They should stay off school, nursery, etc, until at least 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or being sick (vomiting). They should also avoid contact with other children, where possible, during this time. (Sometimes this time may be longer with certain infections. Check with your doctor if you are not sure.)

• Your child should not swim in swimming pools for two weeks after the last episode of diarrhoea.

The advice given in the previous section is aimed at preventing the spread of infection to other people. But, even when we are not in contact with someone with gastroenteritis, proper storage, preparation and cooking of food and maintaining good hygiene help to prevent gastroenteritis. In particular, always wash your hands, and teach children to wash theirs:

• After going to the toilet (and after changing nappies).

• Before touching food. And also, between handling raw meat and food ready to be eaten. (There may be some germs (bacteria) on raw meat.)

• After gardening. Wearing gardening gloves is advised.

• After playing with pets (healthy animals can carry certain harmful bacteria).

Die einfache Maßnahme, regelmäßig und gründlich die Hände zu waschen, ist bekannt dafür, einen großen Unterschied bei der Wahrscheinlichkeit der Entwicklung von Gastroenteritis zu machen.

You should also take extra measures when in countries of poor sanitation. For example, avoid water and other drinks that may not be safe and avoid food washed in unsafe water.

Breastfeeding is also protective. Breast-fed babies are much less likely to develop gastroenteritis compared to bottle-fed babies.

Impfung

As mentioned earlier, rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children. There is an effective vaccine against rotavirus. In the UK it was decided to routinely vaccinate babies against rotavirus. From September 2013 babies were offered drops (by mouth) to prevent rotavirus, along with their other routine vaccinations. These drops are given at 2 and 3 months of age.