Can food poisoning hurt my unborn baby

Symptoms, treatment, dangers, and more

Pregnancy brings a greater chance of getting food poisoning. It can be a scary experience for expecting parents. There are many risks that come with food poisoning during pregnancy.

Hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can alter a person’s immune system, leading them to be more susceptible to food poisoning.

Food poisoning can happen after a person eats or drinks something containing bacteria, a virus, parasites, or other contaminants.

Food poisoning in pregnancy can result in harm to the baby, early labor, pregnancy loss, or stillbirth. However, there are many ways to prevent it or treat it.

This article will explain what the symptoms of food poisoning during pregnancy are, explore its possible dangers, and discuss treatment and prevention methods.

General symptoms of food poisoning may include:

upset stomach
abdominal cramps
nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
fever

The timing of symptoms may vary depending on when a person has eaten the contaminated food and what type of food poisoning a person has.

The type of food poisoning may also produce varying symptoms. According to the CDC, the following types of food poisoning have the following symptoms:

Listeria

Pregnant women are 10 times more likely to get a Listeria infection than the general population. Symptoms can take between a week to a month to develop. They may include:

fever
muscle ache
headache
fatigue

Salmonella

Salmonella symptoms can begin between 6 hours and 6 days after exposure to the contaminated food and may include:

stomach pain
vomiting
diarrhea
nausea

Norovirus

Norovirus symptoms usually start 12–48 hours after a person has consumed the contaminated food or drink. Norovirus symptoms include:

stomach cramps
diarrhea
vomiting
nausea

E. coli (Escherichia coli)

A person may start to experience E. coli symptoms 3–4 days after consuming the contaminated food or drink. These symptoms may include:

stomach cramps
vomiting
diarrhea

Staph (Staphylococcus aureus)

Staph symptoms may occur quickly, between 30 minutes and 8 hours after a person consumes the affected food. They can include:

nausea
vomiting
stomach cramps
diarrhea

There are some other conditions that can give a person similar symptoms to food poisoning.

Food poisoning or a stomach bug?

Gastroenteritis, or a stomach bug, is highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person. It is an inflammation of the intestines. Contaminated food or drink can cause gastroenteritis, but the main cause is usually a bacterial or viral infection.

Food poisoning is usually not contagious. People will only get it at the same time as someone else if they eat the same contaminated food.

Find out more about gastroenteritis here.

Food poisoning or morning sickness?

Morning sickness also presents similar symptoms to food poisoning. A person with morning sickness may experience symptoms during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, though they can occur at any time.

Food poisoning can be dangerous to the unborn child as well as the parent. It can cause serious health problems for the child, pregnancy loss, premature delivery, stillbirth, or even the death of the person carrying the child.

Developing fetuses need to get as many nutrients as possible from their parent carrying them. If the parent is unable to keep food in their body for long enough for their body to absorb the nutrients, the fetus may not grow appropriately.

A person with mild symptoms can pass an infection to their unborn child during pregnancy without the parent even knowing that they have food poisoning.

Newborns can also experience health issues, and can even be born with food poisoning if the person carrying the child has an infection.

While pregnant people should always visit a doctor if they have symptoms of food poisoning, there are some things that they can do at home to help too.

Foods

It can be difficult for a person to feel like eating anything when they have food poisoning. However, a pregnant person needs to eat to keep their strength up and ensure they are eating enough for themselves and the unborn child. It is best to eat bland, low-fat foods that will help keep the stomach as calm as possible.

Foods they can eat include:

saltine crackers
toast
applesauce
mashed potatoes
boiled rice

Drinks

A person with food poisoning has a high risk of developing dehydration. Therefore, ensuring that they consume enough fluids is very important. Easy ways of replacing lost fluids include drinking:

plain water
fruit juices diluted with water
sports drinks containing electrolytes
broths

Oral rehydration solutions or salts can also help replace glucose and electrolytes. They are made up of water with extra salt and glucose that help the body rehydrate.

Natural remedies

Ginger has properties that ease nausea and vomiting. Ginger tea may help a person if they are experiencing these symptoms.

Find out more about the benefits of ginger tea here.

A person should contact a doctor if they are pregnant and suspect they have food poisoning. Even though most people will recover from food poisoning without needing to seek medical attention, a pregnant person must also consider the health of the unborn child.

A pregnant person should contact a doctor immediately if they have any of the following symptoms:

a temperature of over 102°F
blood in the stool
diarrhea lasting longer than 3 days
dizziness
a dry mouth or throat
frequent vomiting

Although the risks of food poisoning in pregnancy can be scary, there are ways to prevent it.

Food types to avoid

Food poisoning can come from a variety of different food products, but there are steps people can take to reduce their risk. For example:

Meat and poultry

Always make sure that these are cooked through. This will lower the risk of developing food poisoning. A meat thermometer can help a person check that their meat has reached a safe minimum internal temperature. For example, a person should cook beef, pork, steaks, and chops to at least 145°F (63°C), giving the meat a 3 minute rest time after cooking.

Vegetables

Unwashed vegetables and raw vegetables can cause a person to develop food poisoning. Make sure to carefully wash all vegetables.

Eggs

Consuming raw or undercooked eggs increases a person’s risk of foodborne illnesses. Pasteurized eggs carry a lower risk.

Milk

Unpasteurized milk can increase a pregnant person’s risk of food poisoning. This includes cheeses made with unpasteurized milk.

Seafood

Pregnant people should avoid raw or undercooked fish, like sushi. Cooked seafood and canned fish and seafood carry a lower risk of causing foodborne illnesses.

Other foods pregnant people should avoid include:

raw sprouts
deli salads
pâtés

A pregnant person should also avoid deli meats and hot dogs unless cooked to a temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) or above.

Food safety tips

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend four food safety tips to try to avoid food poisoning:

Clean

Make sure that everything is clean before preparing food. This includes washing hands and working with clean utensils and cutting boards on freshly cleaned countertops. This lowers the risk of contamination.

Rinsing fresh fruits and vegetables under running water can remove the germs that may cause food poisoning.

Separate

Avoid cross-contamination by ensuring that all utensils that come into contact with raw foods do not then touch cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

Keep raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs separate from other foods when grocery shopping and after returning home, from storing them in the fridge to the preparation of meals.

Cook

Use a thermometer to determine if the internal temperature of their food is high enough to kill off germs that could cause food poisoning.

Chill

Chill perishable food as soon as possible, making sure the fridge stays at a temperature of 40°F (4°C) or below. Thaw frozen food in the refrigerator, in cold water, or in the microwave. When food is thawed on the counter, bacteria can multiply quickly in any parts of the food that reach room temperature.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 48 million people get sick from a foodborne illness each year. 128,000 of those people require hospitalization, and 3,000 of them pass away.

Pregnant people are more susceptible to food poisoning.

Food poisoning usually resolves itself after a few days, but in a pregnant person, it can be a serious and even fatal illness. Following food safety protocols can help pregnant people avoid food poisoning, have a safe and healthy pregnancy, and avoid any related issues for them and their child.

Food Poisoning During Pregnancy: What To Do

Written by Rachel Reiff Ellis

Types of Food Poisoning

Your immune system is weaker than usual when you’re pregnant, so it’s harder for your body to fight off germs that might hitch a ride on food and make you feel bad.

You can get food poisoning when you eat foods contaminated with:

Bacteria
Parasites
Viruses
Certain chemicals

There are many types of food poisoning. Some are more common, and more dangerous, when you’re pregnant.

Listeriosis. This comes from listeria bacteria. Pregnant women are 13 times more likely to get listeriosis than other people. It can lurk in ready-to-eat meats like hot dogs and cold cuts. Poultry, seafood, and dairy products can have it, too, especially if they’re not pasteurized. It can grow even on foods that are cold in the refrigerator.
Escherichia coli (E. coli). This bacteria lives in your gut naturally. Still, you can get sick if you eat contaminated fruits and vegetables, raw or undercooked meats, or unpasteurized milk and fruit juices with certain types of E. coli.
Salmonella. This bacteria causes something called salmonellosis. Most often, you get it from undercooked or raw eggs, meats, poultry, or unpasteurized foods. You can also get it if you eat food that has touched soil or animal poop infected with salmonella.
Campylobacter. You get this bacteria mainly through contaminated chicken or unpasteurized foods.
Norovirus. This is the main cause of foodborne illness in the U.S. The virus spreads easily through contaminated food and drinks.

Symptoms of Food Poisoning During Pregnancy

It can be tricky to know when food poisoning is to blame for your sickness. Sometimes, germs from food can make you sick right away. Other times, they hang around in your body for days or even weeks before you have symptoms.

Usually, it causes:

Stomach pain
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Dehydration

Often, food poisoning can feel like the flu, because you might have fever, headache, and body aches along with your other things.

Home Remedies for Food Poisoning When Pregnant

When you’re pregnant, it’s more than just your health you’re protecting. Some bouts of food poisoning can pose problems for your baby, whose immune system isn’t strong enough yet to fight off germs.

When you start having symptoms that seem like food poisoning, call your doctor right away. They can help you figure out if it is food poisoning, and if so, what may have caused it.

You may be able to handle your symptoms at home with your doctor’s guidance. However, if you're vomiting and having diarrhea, you may need treatment at the doctor’s office or even a hospital. Don’t take any over-the-counter medications without talking to your doctor first.

If your case is mild enough to treat at home, work on rest and rehydration. Get fluids however you can: ice chips, small sips of water or clear liquids, or by drinking a sports drink with electrolytes in it. Wait until you’re sure your vomiting is over before you try to eat. Take your first foods slowly, and stick with bland, non-greasy foods.

When to See a Doctor About Food Poisoning When Pregnant

Your food poisoning needs professional treatment if you’re having:

Signs of dehydration like excessive thirst, dry lips, little to no urine, or dizziness
Vomiting or diarrhea that won’t stop
Severe pain in your abdomen
A fever higher than 101 F
Blood or pus in your stool
Black or tarry stool

Call your doctor right away if you have one or more of these problems. They’ll do tests on your blood or stool to find out what's making you sick. You may need treatment with antibiotics. They’ll also want to be sure your body has enough fluids. You may need an IV to help your body rehydrate.

Complications of Food Poisoning When Pregnant

Certain kinds of food poisoning are very dangerous for your unborn baby.

If you get listeriosis , you may have no symptoms at all. However, you can pass it on to your baby. That can cause serious health problems like:

Paralysis
Blindness
Seizures
Issues with the brain, heart, or kidneys

At worst case, listeriosis can cause preterm labor, low birthweight, and even miscarriage or stillbirth.

Salmonellosis can also pass to your baby and put them at risk of serious complications like meningitis.

Campylobacter can cause miscarriage if you get it early in your pregnancy. It’s also very dangerous if you have it at the time you give birth and pass it to your newborn. Infection in a new baby can be life-threatening.

For you, the most common complication from food poisoning in general is dehydration. Some foodborne illnesses, especially E. coli, can also cause kidney damage.

Preventing Food Poisoning When Pregnant

You can protect yourself from many kinds of food poisoning, whether you’re pregnant or not, by being careful about what you eat and how you handle it.

Safe food handling tips:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after you touch food.
Don’t let raw meat come in contact with anything you’ll eat raw, like produce, or food that’s already prepared.
Keep perishable foods refrigerated or frozen.
Clean fruits and vegetables before you eat or cook them.
Wash utensils and food prep surfaces after you use them.
Cook food to a high enough temperature to kill germs.
Refrigerate leftovers right away. Don’t eat food that’s been sitting out or that has expired.

Certain foods should be off the menu until after your baby is born. Don’t eat or drink:

Unpasteurized dairy products, like raw milk and some brands of soft cheese
Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, fish, or shellfish
Runny or raw eggs, or things that contain them, like cookie dough and homemade eggnog. Pasteurized raw eggs are OK.
Hot dogs or deli meat, unless heated to 165 degrees
Refrigerated patés or meat spreads. Jarred or canned are OK.
Premade chicken, ham, or seafood salads from a deli
Smoked fish, unless it came from a can or you cook it
Unpasteurized juice or cider
Sprouts

Also pay attention to food recalls. Companies have to tell the public if they find out something they’ve sold is making people sick.

Food poisoning in a child - rules for prevention and treatment There are frequent cases when, even in the treatment of children, parents do not resort to the help of doctors, but manage with a “standard” set of funds from grandmother's recipes or advertising on TV.

Gastric lavage with potassium permanganate, taking activated charcoal or some other absorbent, this is the usual set in the hands of an “experienced” parent. However, not everyone clearly understands the essence of intoxication of the body, not everyone can correctly determine its nature and predict the consequences. Not everyone knows that in some cases, poisoning can cause deadly bacteria, such as botulism, and sometimes it happens that a completely different disease is hidden under the symptoms of intoxication of the body, for example, heat stroke. And while parents are trying to overcome the false poisoning of the child, they lose precious time, which can lead to a sharp deterioration in the condition and serious consequences. nine0003

Given all of the above, it should be noted that parents should not self-medicate, even if it seems to them that it is food poisoning in a child and that they themselves will quickly cope. We recommend that you always seek medical attention, although if possible, take some steps to alleviate the child's condition. We will describe how to prevent food intoxication and what to do if it occurs.

We also recommend reading the resource "Protecting children from the sun", where you will learn about the dangers of the scorching summer sun, about common myths about this and about the correct methods of protection. If you are raising a teenager and have begun to notice oddities in their behavior, then we recommend reading an important article about common signs of drug addiction in teenagers. nine0003

Children will not get food poisoning if adults follow simple rules

Food poisoning in children - possible routes of intoxication and their symptoms

Their immune systems are still not strong enough. Food poisoning in children, as well as in adults, most often occurs when eating food that is contaminated with microbes. Separate manifestations in two forms - toxic infection, as well as intoxication. nine0003

Usually, toxic infection is caused by microbes belonging to the Salmonella group, as well as para-Escherichia and Escherichia coli. Be aware that salmonella is very common and often infects the intestines of birds and animals. And when the animal's body weakens and, accordingly, its protective functions, too, salmonella infect all internal organs. Such meat, having got on the table to people after a weak heat treatment, causes poisoning. Salmonella can also infect eggs, pies, milk, cheese, fish and cottage cheese. Symptoms of poisoning usually occur after a few hours or later, depending on the dose, the organism and the nature of the poisoning. The child begins to feel nausea, vomiting, headache, stools are frequent and liquid, body temperature rises. The disease lasts from two days to a week and in most cases ends in recovery. nine0003

Food Intoxication of the child's body occurs as a result of eating, which contains poisons in the form of microbial waste products. They are called toxins. Most often, such poisoning is caused by staphylococcus aureus. It, as a rule, gets into ready meals from those who have pustular skin diseases. Poisoning through cakes, ice cream, pastries, sausage, ham, sausages and so on is common. Even when ingested in raw foods, this toxin is not easy to destroy. At the boiling point, it does not collapse for several hours. Symptoms of poisoning usually appear in time in the same way as with toxic infection. The clinical picture and course of the disease are similar. nine0003

Botulism causes a very dangerous poisoning of the body, which without urgent medical intervention can result in the death of a child. Botulism bacteria thrive in an oxygen-free environment and produce a strong toxin. It is destroyed after 20 minutes of boiling, but in order to destroy the spores themselves, it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius for 10 minutes. The most common source of poisoning are all kinds of canned foods, namely meat, fish, vegetables. But cases of intoxication were also observed through the earth, which was contaminated with the feces of sick animals. The onset of the disease occurs after a couple of hours, although an incubation period of several days is sometimes possible. The child feels dry mouth, dizziness, general weakness and shortness of breath, the pulse quickens, paralysis of the eye and facial muscles, as well as the muscles of the soft palate and tongue, occurs. Because of this, a disorder of speech, vision and swallowing occurs - the child chokes and begins to distinguish poorly between nearby objects and text. The toxin affects the nervous apparatus of the heart and the central nervous system. The disease lasts 4-8 days, is difficult and without medical intervention can lead to death due to paralysis of the respiratory center. nine0003

Please note that botulism spores may contain canned honey, even commercially produced honey. Therefore, in no case do not give such honey to children under one year old, they may develop infant botulism. And for adults, it is usually harmless.

In infants, botulism, as a rule, begins precisely with constipation, then the baby begins to make sucking movements poorly and swallows with difficulty, his eyelids begin to weaken, he weakly makes sounds or words, and general impotence develops. nine0003

Non-bacterial poisonings are usually due to the consumption of poisonous mushrooms, fish or light-green potatoes, which accumulate poisonous solanine under their skin. Many mushrooms are poisonous in nature, and there are many false mushrooms, remember that it is not recommended for children to eat mushrooms at all until they are 12 years old. Especially often they are poisoned by mushrooms - lines that are very similar to edible morels. Only stitches in dry weather develop poisonous gelvellic acid, a very potent poison that is resistant to heat. Pay attention to the photos and avoid buying and picking similar mushrooms. nine0003

Poisonous - line. Edible morel.

Toxin poisoning of some fish may be due to improper handling or transport. For example, mackerel produces poisons if it is not frozen in time. Also keep in mind that children should not be given Japanese sushi with fish or shrimp, which can also serve as a source of dangerous poisoning.

Food poisoning in children - disease prevention

Here are the basic rules for the prevention of food poisoning in children:

Adults should remember the first and most important rule from school: “wash your hands before eating”, and this is not just a general slogan, but a vital necessity. Washing hands before eating reduces the risk of poisoning several times.
Further, the second rule is to thoroughly wash the foods that you eat raw - vegetables and fruits. Do not give raw milk and eggs to children. Pasteurized milk from the store is also recommended to boil.
Prevent children from eating "adult" foods such as Japanese sushi, smoked fish, mushrooms, and so on. nine0050
The meat of birds, animals, must undergo careful temperature treatment, use the rule: "you can't digest the meat." The same applies to fish, seafood and eggs.
When canning at home, strictly adhere to the technology and temperature regime for the destruction of botulism spores. Do not use homemade or factory-made products that bulge bags, jars, or lids (also called bombing). Do not eat foods with a suspicious smell or texture.
Cottage cheese mass, curd cream or cheese curds - in the cold up to 24 hours (can not be stored without cold).
Pies fried with meat or fish - in the cold up to 24 hours, in a cool place up to 12 hours.
Cake with butter cream - in the cold up to 6 C °, the shelf life is up to 36 hours, in a cool place up to 12 hours.
Custard tart - refrigerate up to 6 hours, cannot be stored without refrigeration.
Serve hot fish or meat dishes soon after cooking, do not store perishable food outside the refrigerator. nine0050
Always check the expiration date of products when buying and before eating.
Do not buy very early fruits and vegetables (such as tomatoes, watermelons, melons or strawberries), they tend to be high in chemical growth stimulants that can cause acute poisoning.
Do not buy food in questionable places from hands or trays. Especially in the hot season, especially on the beach, especially meat products (chebureks, belyashi, etc.), especially for children! Remember that meat in the sun after 20-30 minutes can turn into poison. nine0050

Parental actions if a child has food poisoning

Providing medical care for food poisoning

When a child has food poisoning, the most important thing is to provide the child with medical care promptly. If you are on vacation, then contact the administration of the hotel or recreation center so that they take urgent measures. If you are at home, then, depending on the situation, call a doctor, emergency or ambulance. In case of a sharp deterioration in the condition, immediately call an ambulance (even if you have previously called a doctor at home), dangerous syndromes include: vomiting or diarrhea with blood, delirium, hallucinations, loss of consciousness, asphyxia (the child is suffocating), weakening of the pulse, cyanosis skin (the child begins to turn blue). nine0003

Always remain calm, do not scare, but rather calm the child. Clearly and in detail describe the essence of the problem and symptoms to the medical worker by phone, ask for general recommendations over the phone, what you need to do before the ambulance or doctor arrives.

Please note that the symptoms of an illness may only look like poisoning, but in fact it may be a completely different disease, such as sunstroke. Only a doctor can make a qualified diagnosis.

General actions in case of child poisoning

If you are sure that the child has food poisoning (preferably after consulting a doctor over the phone), then first of all ensure that the stomach is empty of the food that is most likely the cause of the illness. To do this, let the child drink a lot of warm boiled water, and then induce vomiting by pressing on the root of the tongue. Repeat the procedure until the vomit comes out clean, without pieces of food and mucus. We DO NOT RECOMMEND rinsing the stomach with potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate) without consulting a doctor. But if you are planning to make such a solution, then use either drops, or in the case of crystals, carefully pour the solution into another dish to avoid internal burns with small particles. Remember that the potassium permanganate solution should be slightly pink, and do not give potassium permanganate to children under 5 years old. nine0003

Use sorbents to remove absorbed harmful substances and toxins from the child's intestines. These are substances that draw toxins into themselves and then remove them from the body. Popular drugs are: activated carbon, Polyphepan, Karbolong. But remember that in some cases - with ulcerative and erosive lesions of the intestines and stomach, these drugs may be contraindicated. The drug Enterosgel is very popular, it does not irritate the mucous membranes and has excellent sorption properties of toxins, and it also sorbs bilirubin. nine0003

In case of poisoning accompanied by diarrhea and flatulence, Bifilact extra or Extralact can be used, they also contain microbial components that restore the normal intestinal flora. It’s also a good idea to use Smecta - it protects the inflamed mucous surfaces from the effects of viruses and toxins and restores the stool. Please note that Imodium (Loperamide) is not recommended to be used alone for food poisoning, since if used incorrectly, even more active absorption of harmful substances into the blood is possible. nine0003

In any case, do not self-medicate your children with food poisoning, always consult a doctor!

Article of the site - "Safety of children"

Food poisoning in a child.

What is Food Poisoning in a Child?

IMPORTANT
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor. nine0003

Food poisoning in a child is an acute infectious-toxic lesion that occurs as a result of eating poor-quality products containing pathogens and their toxins, plant or other poisons. Food poisoning in a child is manifested by diarrhea, vomiting, fever, intoxication, dehydration. Diagnosis of food poisoning in children involves the clarification of the epidemiological history; identification of a pathogen or toxin in blood, feces, vomit, food samples. Treatment of food poisoning in children requires immediate gastric lavage or cleansing enema, enterosorbents, rehydration. nine0003

Classification
Causes
Symptoms of food poisoning in a child
Diagnosis of food poisoning in a child
Treatment of food poisoning in a child
Prognosis and prevention of food poisoning in a child
Prices for treatment

General

Food poisoning in a child is food poisoning or intoxication associated with the consumption of infected food, water, or toxic (plant, chemical, medicinal) substances. Food poisoning in children occupies a leading place in the range of infectious pathology and toxicology of childhood and represents a serious problem in practical pediatrics. nine0003

Food poisoning in a child is much more severe than in adults, which is explained by the characteristics of the child's body: low acidity of gastric juice, incomplete formation of intestinal microflora, faster absorption of the poison and its distribution throughout the body, relatively low detoxification capacity of the liver and filtration function of the kidneys, etc. Often the same products that do not cause any signs of poisoning in an adult cause food poisoning in a child. nine0003

Food poisoning in a child

Classification

A child may have the following types of food poisoning:

Infectious food poisoning caused by microbes and their toxins (food poisoning and food toxicosis - bacteriotoxicosis, botulism).
Non-infectious food poisoning caused by poisonous products of plant and animal origin, toxic impurities.

In the clinical course of food poisoning in a child, 3 stages are distinguished: nine0003

Latent (asymptomatic) - lasts from the moment the toxin/poison is taken until the first symptoms of food poisoning appear in the child. The duration of the latent period depends on the age and individual characteristics of the child, the amount of a toxic substance that has entered the body with food, and the rate of its absorption. The latent stage of food poisoning is the most favorable "window" for the treatment of a child, when the poison has not yet entered the bloodstream and has not exerted its toxic effect. First aid in this case is gastric lavage and the intake of enterosorbents. nine0050
Toxicogenic - lasts from the appearance of the first signs of poisoning to the elimination of bacteria and poison from the body. The toxicogenic period is manifested by the developed symptoms of food poisoning in a child, characteristic of this toxic infection or poison. This stage requires identification of bacteria and poison, their removal (gastric lavage, cleansing enema, forced diuresis), detoxification, etc.
Stage of convalescence - restoration of impaired functions (digestive, excretory, immune, etc.). nine0050

Causes

Infectious food poisoning in a child (food poisoning) can be caused by staphylococcus aureus, proteus, klebsiella, clostridia, citrobacter, enterotoxigenic strains of Escherichia coli, etc. These pathogens enter the body exclusively with food, in which they first multiply and produce toxins. Contamination of food and the accumulation of toxins are favored by non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic standards in the process of storing, preparing and selling food. At the same time, the products may look like poor quality (unpleasant smell, taste, changed color, texture) or have normal organoleptic qualities. nine0003

Microbial sources that seed food can be persons suffering from intestinal infections, purulent diseases (tonsillitis, furunculosis, streptoderma, felons, mastitis, etc. ), as well as animals that pollute water, soil, plants and other environmental objects with their feces. Food poisoning in a child can be caused by drinking unboiled water, contaminated milk and dairy products, eggs, cream confectionery, fish and seafood, sausages, meat (beef, pork, chicken, etc.), home-made canned food, etc. nine0003

Food poisoning in children can occur as sporadic, familial or mass outbreaks. They are characterized by an increase in the incidence in the summer-autumn period, when there are favorable conditions for the reproduction of microbial pathogens and the accumulation of toxins.

Non-infectious food poisoning is usually associated with the child's accidental consumption of poisonous berries (nightshade, wolfberry, black elderberry, crow's eye, etc.), plants (hemlock, henbane, poisonous milestone, dope, etc.), mushrooms (pale toadstool, fly agaric, false chanterelles or honey mushrooms). Food poisoning in a child can occur when eating agricultural products contaminated with toxic chemical impurities (fungicides, insecticides, inorganic compounds). nine0003

Symptoms of food poisoning in a child

The clinical picture of food poisoning in a child with various toxic infections is very similar. Usually the latent stage lasts 2-6 hours; sometimes shortened to 30 minutes. or lengthens up to 24 hours. Food poisoning in a child is manifested by signs of gastroenteritis, general infectious symptoms, intoxication, dehydration.

The disease begins acutely, with nausea, repeated vomiting of food eaten, abdominal pain (mainly in the stomach area), watery diarrhea with impurities of greens, mucus, streaks of blood. The frequency of stool reaches 5-10 times a day. nine0003

Almost simultaneously with the phenomena of gastroenteritis, the body temperature rises to 38-39 ° C. The intoxication syndrome is rapidly growing, characterized by lethargy, refusal to eat, headache and muscle pain. Fluid loss with vomiting and stool leads to dehydration: facial features are sharpened, the skin becomes pale and dry to the touch. A child with food poisoning may have convulsions, oligo-, anuria, hemodynamic disorders, acidosis.

The course of food poisoning is short; in most cases, symptoms regress after 2–3 days, although weakness and abdominal pain may persist for longer. Severe forms of food poisoning can be observed in young children, debilitated individuals with a concomitant background (prematurity, malnutrition, dysbacteriosis, etc.). In severe cases, the child may develop necrotic enteritis, infectious-toxic or hypovolemic shock, endocarditis, sepsis. nine0003

In case of food poisoning by poisonous plants in a child, the central nervous system is often affected, which can be manifested by lethargy, euphoria, hallucinations, visual impairment, speech disorders, convulsions, coma. With a toxic effect on the cardiovascular system, tachycardia or bradycardia, arrhythmia, and arterial hypotension occur. Most plants mainly affect the gastrointestinal tract, which makes food poisoning in a child less dangerous.

Food poisoning of a child with mushrooms always occurs through the fault of adults who allow the use of unknown or dubious "gifts of the forest" in food. Poisoning with a pale toadstool is accompanied by indomitable vomiting, intestinal colic, cholera-like diarrhea mixed with blood, convulsions, and respiratory distress. The action of the poison leads to the development of toxic hepatitis, and in 90% of cases - to death due to acute liver failure.

In case of fly agaric poisoning, increased salivation, vomiting, shortness of breath, bronchospasm, hallucinations, and convulsions occur. The mortality rate for fly agaric poisoning is 1%. The clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of botulism can be found here.

Diagnosis of food poisoning in a child

Food poisoning in a child can usually be diagnosed by a pediatrician or pediatric infectious disease specialist. The diagnosis of food poisoning in a child is facilitated by the clarification of the epidemiological history, a typical clinical picture, an indication of group cases of poisoning of persons who consumed the same food. nine0003

Specific diagnostic tests include the isolation of the pathogen from bacteriological culture of feces, vomit, gastric lavage, and the remains of an infected product. In case of suspicion of a generalized form of infection, a blood culture is performed. During mass outbreaks of food poisoning in children's groups, kitchen workers are subject to examination, from whom swabs are taken from their hands, from the nasopharynx, and rectum. Express methods for detecting the pathogen (RIF, ELISA, PCR) are of secondary importance. nine0003

In some cases, a child with food poisoning may need to consult a pediatric neurologist, pediatric gastroenterologist, pediatric surgeon. Differential diagnosis of food poisoning is carried out with acute gastritis, acute appendicitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, giardiasis, acute intestinal infections, meningitis in a child.

Treatment of food poisoning in a child

Emergency assistance in establishing the fact of food poisoning in a child consists in washing the stomach to clean water and administering a cleansing enema to remove toxins from the gastrointestinal tract. For the same purpose, the appointment of enterosorbents (activated carbon, combined preparations) is indicated. nine0003

To eliminate dehydration, oral rehydration (sweet tea, saline solutions) is necessary for moderate forms - parenteral rehydration therapy with saline solutions. In case of food poisoning, the child is prescribed replacement therapy with polyenzymatic preparations with pancreatin. Antimicrobial therapy for a child with food poisoning is carried out only for severe toxic infections under the supervision of a physician.

It is advisable to abstain from eating for 12-24 hours. After the cessation of vomiting, a sparing diet is recommended to the child (liquid cereals, mucous soups, crackers, compotes, kefir). nine0003

In case of poisoning with a pale toadstool, a child needs an emergency extracorporeal hemocorrection (hemosorption).

Prediction and prevention of food poisoning in a child

Food poisoning in a child that occurs in mild or moderate severity usually ends in a complete recovery. The consequences of food poisoning in a child can be various dysfunctions of organs and systems. So, the outcome of food poisoning is often dysbacteriosis, and mushroom poisoning - kidney and liver failure. With severe food poisoning, a child may develop severe multiple organ failure, requiring intensive care. With toxic infections, the lethality is low (about 1%), which cannot be said about mushroom poisoning. nine0003

Prevention of food poisoning in a child dictates the need for proper storage and adequate heat treatment of food products, drinking only boiled water, thorough washing of hands and food under running water. Regular hygienic examination of persons working in children's kitchens and in public catering is necessary; preventing workers with pustular skin diseases (pyoderma), respiratory tract infections, intestinal infections from entering the catering unit.

It is necessary to acquaint children with poisonous plants and mushrooms, and strictly forbid them to eat unknown berries, fruits, seeds, etc.