Diarrhea
is quite common in children. It usually
lasts from 3 to 7 days. It can be dangerous
when the child loses a lot of fluid and
salt through frequent stools. The child
can then become dehydrated. If the
dehydration is severe, the child may need
to be hospitalized for intravenous fluid
replacement.
You can prevent dehydration when your child
has diarrhea by proceeding as follows:
Give
liquids as soon as the diarrhea starts.
The best liquid to give is an Oral Re-hydration
Solution (ORS). These solutions replace
the water and salts lost by the frequent
stools. You can buy them at any drug store
without prescription. Do not give too much
plain water since drinking only water can
be harmful. Small amount of water along
with ORS is all right. Do not give liquids
that contain a lot of sugar or sweetener,
such as juices, sport drinks or carbonated
drinks because they can make diarrhea worse.
Give 1/2 cup (4 oz.) of ORS for every watery
stool if your child is 2 years old or
less; if your child is over 2 years,
give 1/2 cup to one cup (8 oz.) per watery
stool. Give the solution until the diarrhea
stops. If your child is vomiting, give one
teaspoon of ORS every 2-3 minutes until
the vomiting stops, then gradually return
to the regular amount.
Continue
to feed your child.
Eating is important to maintain health.
If your child is nursing, continue to breastfeed.
If he is taking a cow 's milk-based formula,
you may dilute the formula to half strength
or change to a lactose-free formula. If
your child is eating solid foods, you can
give him cooked cereal, bananas, cooked
meat, noodles, crackers, rice, potatoes
and yogurt. Avoid fried/fatty foods and
foods with a high sugar content such as
ice cream and sweetened cereals.
Do
not give medication without consulting your
pediatrician.
Most children with diarrhea get better
without medication. Some over-the-counter
medicines for diarrhea can be harmful. Remember
that food and fluids are the most important
treatment for diarrhea.
Prevent
the spread of infection.
Hand washing is the most important
means of preventing diarrhea from spreading.
Wash your hands and the exposed part of
arms with soap and water after caring for
your child, especially after diaper changes.
Teach your child to wash his hands before
eating and after using the toilet.
See
a pediatrician if:
- Your child is under 6 months of age.
- The diarrhea is not improving after
24 hours
- The diarrhea is getting worse and worse.
- The stool has blood in it.
- Your child is vomiting and cannot keep
any fluids down.
- Your child has a severe stomachache.
- Your child shows signs of dehydration
such as decreased urination, sunken eyes,
crying without tears, extreme thirst,
unusual drowsiness or fussiness, etc.
(Reference:
Contemporary Pediatrics - February 1999,
Jack Lasche, MD. and Christopher Duggan,
MD.) |
