AUTHOR Dr. Cherif Aly Abdelal
Diarrhea is a change in the frequency and/or consistency of your child’s stools, and is often accompanied by vomiting.
Newborns
may pass a stool after each meal. As a baby grows older, the number of
times he passes a stool decreases, reaching the average of once daily.
As a general rule, passing a stool more than five times a day is
considered diarrhea, taking into account the consistency of the stool
What causes diarrhea?
The most frequent cause of diarrhea in babies is ‘rotavirus,’ a world-wide, contagious virus. In summer however, an outbreak of diarrhea may also be due to an increase in food contamination due to the high temperature. For a baby younger than six months, and certainly younger than two to three months, a pediatrician should be contacted immediately because babies can lose fluids quickly leading to dehydration, a life-threatening condition.
The most frequent cause of diarrhea in babies is ‘rotavirus,’ a world-wide, contagious virus. In summer however, an outbreak of diarrhea may also be due to an increase in food contamination due to the high temperature. For a baby younger than six months, and certainly younger than two to three months, a pediatrician should be contacted immediately because babies can lose fluids quickly leading to dehydration, a life-threatening condition.
Is vomiting normal in newborns and toddlers?
It’s normal for babies to ‘spit up’ after a feeding. However, if a child is vomiting in large amounts, particularly if it’s projectile or forceful, this is cause for concern as it may indicate a gastric problem or an infection. If the vomit turns greenish, this could indicate a potentially life-threatening situation as this suggests that it’s coming from lower down in the intestine and may represent an intestinal obstruction.
It’s normal for babies to ‘spit up’ after a feeding. However, if a child is vomiting in large amounts, particularly if it’s projectile or forceful, this is cause for concern as it may indicate a gastric problem or an infection. If the vomit turns greenish, this could indicate a potentially life-threatening situation as this suggests that it’s coming from lower down in the intestine and may represent an intestinal obstruction.
When should my child see a doctor?
This depends on your child’s age. A baby younger than three months should always be seen by a pediatrician as his condition may be critical. Regarding older children, the frequency of the vomiting and diarrhea will determine if the child can receive care at home or not. If the child can retain some liquids that will prevent dehydration, he may receive care at home. However, if he is continuously vomiting, then medical care must be sought immediately regardless of his age.
This depends on your child’s age. A baby younger than three months should always be seen by a pediatrician as his condition may be critical. Regarding older children, the frequency of the vomiting and diarrhea will determine if the child can receive care at home or not. If the child can retain some liquids that will prevent dehydration, he may receive care at home. However, if he is continuously vomiting, then medical care must be sought immediately regardless of his age.
How can I tell if my child is dehydrated?
Check to see if your baby’s diapers are drier than usual, bearing in mind however that they have become super-absorbent, so they may not be the best indication. Therefore, it is essential to look for dryness around the mouth and to check your baby’s skin carefully. If your baby is dehydrated, his skin will become dry, wrinkled and will temporarily lose its elasticity. If the baby’s eyes seem sunken in the head, this is a later more serious sign of dehydration. Your baby might also become listless and lethargic. If your baby’s behavior changes from irritable to continuously crying, and he is still vomiting and has diarrhea, this is a real sign of danger. Seek medical care immediately.
Check to see if your baby’s diapers are drier than usual, bearing in mind however that they have become super-absorbent, so they may not be the best indication. Therefore, it is essential to look for dryness around the mouth and to check your baby’s skin carefully. If your baby is dehydrated, his skin will become dry, wrinkled and will temporarily lose its elasticity. If the baby’s eyes seem sunken in the head, this is a later more serious sign of dehydration. Your baby might also become listless and lethargic. If your baby’s behavior changes from irritable to continuously crying, and he is still vomiting and has diarrhea, this is a real sign of danger. Seek medical care immediately.
What kinds of liquids should I offer my child?
Oral rehydration solutions (water mixed with certain chemicals that help retain fluid) prevent dehydration and are absorbed more easily than other beverages such as fruit juices that can actually make diarrhea worse due to their high sugar content. Therefore, if your child has gastroenteritis and you need to give him liquids, use one of the oral rehydration solutions or a plain clear soft drink such as 7UP. One of the common mistakes parents make is treating oral rehydration solutions as a medication rather than a replacement fluid. Parents sometimes administer these solutions in addition to the child’s regular diet. However, when these solutions are used, they should be a replacement for anything taken orally. When the child has diarrhea, it is of primary importance to replace the fluid lost to prevent dehydration. However, oral re-hydration solutions should be used for a limited period of time, generally 24 hours.
Oral rehydration solutions (water mixed with certain chemicals that help retain fluid) prevent dehydration and are absorbed more easily than other beverages such as fruit juices that can actually make diarrhea worse due to their high sugar content. Therefore, if your child has gastroenteritis and you need to give him liquids, use one of the oral rehydration solutions or a plain clear soft drink such as 7UP. One of the common mistakes parents make is treating oral rehydration solutions as a medication rather than a replacement fluid. Parents sometimes administer these solutions in addition to the child’s regular diet. However, when these solutions are used, they should be a replacement for anything taken orally. When the child has diarrhea, it is of primary importance to replace the fluid lost to prevent dehydration. However, oral re-hydration solutions should be used for a limited period of time, generally 24 hours.
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