Skip to main content
Print chapterPrint chapter

Common Gastrointestinal Diseases in Newborns

Site: EHC | Egyptian Health Council
Course: دلائل الاجراءات التمريضية لقسم حديث الولاده
Book: Common Gastrointestinal Diseases in Newborns
Printed by: Guest user
Date: Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 11:39 PM

Description

"last update: 12 February 2025"                                                                               تحميل الدليل  

Table of contents

- Prepared by

NICU guide

Under supervision

- Prof. Dr. Mohamed Latif, CEO of the Egyptian Health Council

 Dr. Kawthar Mahmoud, Head of the Egyptian Nursing Syndicate - Member of the Senate

 

Prepared by 

Title  

Name

NO.

Dean Of Faculty Nursing, Professor of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Tanta University

Dr Afaf Abdel Aziz Abdel Aziz Basal

1

Professor Of Critical Care Nursing

Prof.Dr/Zeinab Hussain Ali

2

Professor And Head of the Department of Medical Surgical Nursing. Faculty-. Benha University

Amal Said Taha Refaie

3

Supervisor Of the Education Sector at Port Said University

Amal Ahmed Khalil Morsy

4

Professor Of Medical Surgical Nursing- Faculty of Nursing- Cairo University

Dr. Hanan Ahmed Al Sebaee

5

Head of central administration on secondment at MOHP

Dr Neveen ab drab al0nabi Mohamed

6

Director Of Primary Health Care Nursing Department at MOHP.

Maysa Hosny Ahmed Tammam

7

Supervisor Of Technical Education- EHA 

Nancy Alaa Eldeen Abd-Elbaset Ali

8

Supervisor Of Nursing Services Development- EHA

Sherien Mohamed Saad

9

Assistant Professor of Maternity and Neonatal Health Nursing - Faculty of Nursing- Ain Shams University

Assist.Perof. Dr./Heba Mahmoud Mohammed

10

General manager of general administration of health institutes affairs

Dr Mai Galal Ibrahim Al-Assal

11

Participants  

Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing

Dr. Nagat Salah Shalabi Salama

12

member of the Nursing administration at EHA, port said branch

Mrs. Shaima Abdel Basset Ibrahim Salim

13

member of the Nursing administration at EHA, port said branch

Mrs. Hoda Al-Sayd Muhammad

14

member of the Nursing administration at EHA, port said branch

Mrs. Walaa Ahmed Ali

15

member of the Nursing administration at EHA, port said branch

Mrs. Omnia Abdel Qader Muhammad

16

member of the Nursing administration at EHA- South Sinai

  branch

Mrs. Yasser Abdel Karim Omar Abdel Jawad

17

- Oral Thrush (Fungal Infection of the Mouth)

Newborns are prone to several gastrointestinal diseases due to their immature digestive systems. Below are some of the most common conditions

Causes:

  • Prolonged use of antibiotics
  • Use of artificial nipples without proper sterilization
  • Weakened immune system, especially in premature babies

Symptoms:

  • Difficulty in sucking
  • White patches on the tongue, gums, and inside the mouth

Treatment:

  • Oral hygiene after feeding
  • Antifungal ointment applied to the mouth

Nursing Care:

  • Wash hands before feeding the baby
  • Clean the baby’s mouth with sterile gauze soaked in saline
  • Sterilize bottles and pacifiers regularly

- Vomiting

Causes:

  • Overfeeding
  • Weak lower esophageal sphincter
  • Increased abdominal pressure (crying, gas, etc.)

When is Vomiting a Concern?

  • Frequent, forceful vomiting
  • Dehydration and weight loss
  • Vomit mixed with blood or bile
  • Repeated choking leading to lung infections

Possible Causes:

  • Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
  • Pyloric stenosis (narrowing of stomach outlet)
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Lactose intolerance
  • Sepsis or metabolic disorders

Nursing Care:

  • Identify and report the cause to the doctor
  • Monitor vomiting frequency, color, and quantity
  • Feed in small amounts at regular intervals
  • Keep the baby’s head elevated during and after feeding
  • Use prescribed anti-vomiting medications
Provide IV fluids if dehydration occurs

- Abdominal Bloating

Causes:

  • Improper feeding techniques leading to gas buildup
  • Constipation

When is it a Concern?

  • Hard, painful belly
  • Inability to digest milk
  • Skin discoloration of the abdomen
  • Vomiting mixed with blood or bile
  • Chronic diarrhea or constipation
  • Blood in stool

Possible Causes:

  • Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC)
  • Intestinal obstruction
  • Sepsis
  • Hirschsprung disease (nerve-related colon blockage)

Treatment & Care:

  • Identifying the cause and treating accordingly
  • IV fluids and nutrition as needed
  • Surgery in severe cases

- Diarrhea

Causes:

  • Digestive tract infections
  • Lactose intolerance

Symptoms:

  • Watery stools more frequently than usual
  • Mucus or blood in stool
  • Dehydration signs (sunken eyes, dry skin)

Treatment & Care:

  • Prevent infections by following strict hygiene
  • Provide IV fluids to prevent dehydration
  • Special formula if lactose intolerance is suspected

- Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC)

Definition:

A serious condition where parts of the intestine become inflamed and die due to poor blood supply and bacterial infection.

Risk Factors:

  • Prematurity
  • Formula feeding instead of breastfeeding
  • Birth complications (oxygen deprivation)
  • Poor hygiene in medical procedures

Symptoms:

  • Inability to digest milk
  • Vomiting
  • Abdominal bloating and redness
  • Blood in stool
  • Lethargy and low body temperature

Treatment & Care:

  • Stop feeding
  • Monitor vital signs and breathing
  • Provide IV nutrition and antibiotics
  • Surgery in severe cases to remove damaged intestine

Complications:

  • Intestinal gangrene
  • Intestinal perforation
  • Short bowel syndrome
  • Adhesions (intestinal blockages)