Acute enteritis is a common condition in infants under two years old, primarily manifesting as diarrhea. It can result from improper diet or infections within or outside the intestines. Intestinal infections are most commonly caused by pathogenic E. coli enteritis.Formula-fed infants experience higher incidence rates than breastfed infants. This is partly due to the susceptibility of animal milk to contamination, but also relates to breast milk containing mucopolysaccharides that promote the growth of bifidobacteria. Bifidobacteria effectively inhibit the proliferation of E. coli.
Beyond bacterial dysentery, cholera, and rat-bite fever, other bacterial, viral, parasitic, fungal, and idiopathic infectious diarrhea can all be classified as enteritis.
In children under 2 years old, epidemic diarrhea occurring in autumn and winter with egg-drop soup-like or white watery stools without pus or blood strongly suggests rotavirus enteritis.If occurring in summer, E. coli infection is more likely. Stools containing mucus or bloody pus should prompt consideration of bacterial dysentery, Campylobacter jejuni, or Salmonella typhimurium enteritis.
For mild diarrhea, avoid indigestible foods and high-fat diets. Temporarily consume rice water, soy milk, yogurt, or skim milk. Breastfed infants should have shorter feeding sessions.Children with severe diarrhea require immediate hospital admission. For mild cases managed at home, administer oral rehydration salts (ORS) by dissolving one packet in 500 ml of water and feeding small amounts frequently. Dosage guidelines: - Mild dehydration: 50 ml/kg daily - Moderate dehydration: 80–100 ml/kg daily Gradually resume normal diet 3–4 days after vomiting and diarrhea subside.
For pediatric enteritis, stool testing or culture is recommended when feasible to confirm diagnosis. For E. coli enteritis, administer polymyxin B at 50,000–100,000 units per kg daily in 3–4 divided doses, or kanamycin at 50 mg per kg daily in 3–4 divided oral doses. Treatment duration should not exceed 7 days to prevent dysbiosis.
For Campylobacter jejuni enteritis, administer erythromycin estolate at 30–50 mg per kg body weight daily, divided into 3–4 doses.
For fungal enteritis, use clotrimazole at 20–60 mg per kg body weight daily, divided into 3 oral doses.
For viral enteritis unresponsive to antibiotics, the Chinese patent medicine Zhuodan Zhixieling is effective: 5 ml per dose, 3 times daily for ages 1–3; 10 ml per dose, 3 times daily for ages 3–7.