Nursing management of

common health problems of

infants
 General objective:
By the completion of this module the student
should be able to provide comprehensive nursing
care to infants with common minor health
problems.

Specific objectives:
At the end of this module the student should be
able to:
Identify the most common health problems of
infants.
State the etiology, assessment criteria of infants
with colic, constipation, diarrhea, oral
candidiasis and malnutrition disease.
Plan for the nursing management of each
disorder.
Describe the prevention of each disorder.
Paroxsymal abdominal
pain (Colic)
Definition:
Paroxysmal intestinal cramps
occurring due to
accumulation of excessive
gases and cause discomfort
and pain.
Etiology:
The causative factors are not known, but it might
be due to:
Excessive swallowing of air.
Too much excitement.
Excessive intake of carbohydrate leads to gas
formation.
Over rapid feeding.
Diseases of GIT e.g. gastroenteritis, constipation.
Hernias: diaphragmatic, inguinal, or umbilical.
Parasites.
Allergy to certain foods.
Hunger.
Intestinal obstruction e.g. pyloric stenosis.
Emotional stress or tension between parent and child.
 Assessment criteria:
Sudden attack of abdominal pain.
Cry in loud voice more or less continuous.
Distended and tense abdomen.
Congestion of face may be cyanotic in
severe cases.
Legs are drawn up on the abdomen.
Feet are often cold.
Arms are flexed and drawn to the body.
Neck may be flexed.
Infant may pass flatus or feces.
Therapeutic management:
Management of colic should begin with
an investigation of diagnosable
causes.
Treat the cause of colic, e.g. in case
of cow's milk allergy or intolerance,
change the formula.
Use of drugs, such as, sedatives,
antispasmodics, antihistamine and
antiflatulents.
 Nursing management:
The initial step is to take a thorough, detailed
history of the usual daily events, which include:
Diet of the breast-feeding mother.
Time of day when attacks occur.
Relationship of the attacks to feeding time.
presence of specific family members as smoking.
Mother's (caregiver) activity before, during and
after crying.
Measures used to relieve the cry and their
effectiveness.
Nursing Diagnosis:
Altered comfort related to colic.
Goal:
To relive pain.
Nursing Intervention:
Bubble infant frequently and gently; use upright position
to help eructation.
Give infant hot watery fluids (as caraway) to help
expulsion of gases or use hot water bottle.
Turn the infant on abdomen to help expulsion of gases.
Loving care to relief his tension (hug him).
Teach mother the details of good feeding techniques.
Doctor may order small warm enema or change formula.
Doctor may order drugs as atropine to reduce intestinal
movement.
Expected Outcome:
Patient is resting and shows no evidence of
discomfort.
Parent guideline:
Place infant prone over a covered hot-water bottle,
heated towel or covered heating pad.
Massage abdomen.
Respond immediately to the crying.
Change the infant's position frequently.
Provide smaller, frequent feeding; burp during and after
feeding using the shoulder position and place in an
upright seat after feedings.
In breast-fed infants, have mother avoid all milk products
for a trail period.
Avoid smoking near the infant.
Provide hot fluid.
The colic "carry" may be comforting to an infant with
colic. It should be emphasized that colic does not
indicate poor or inadequate parenting.