Diarrhea: Toddlers

Grand Traverse Children's Clinic, P.C.

3537 W. Front St.<= /st1:address>, Ste. G

Traverse City, MI 496= 84

(231) 935-8822

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Diarrhea: Toddler

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea is the sudden increase in the frequency and looseness of bowel movements (BMs). Mild diarrhea is the passage of a = few loose or mushy BMs. Severe di= arrhea is the passage of many watery BMs. The best indicator of the severity of the diarrhea is its frequency. Green bowel moveme= nts are also a sign of severe diarrhea.

The main complication= of diarrhea is dehydration from the loss of too much body fluid. Symptoms of dehydration are a dry = mouth, the absence of tears, infrequent urination (for example, none in 8 hours), = and a darker, concentrated urine. The main goal of diarrhea treatment is to prevent dehydration.

What is the cause?

Diarrhea is usually c= aused by a viral infection of the lining of the intestines (gastroenteritis). Sometimes it is caused by bacteria= or parasites. Occasionally a food allergy or drinking too much fruit juice may cause diarrhea. If your child has just one or two = loose bowel movements, the cause is probably something unusual your child ate. A diet of nothing but clear fluids= for more than 2 days may cause green, watery bowel movements (called "starvation stools").

How long will it last?

Diarrhea usually lasts several days to a week, regardless of the type of treatment. The main goal of treatment is to p= revent dehydration. Your child needs= to drink enough fluids to replace the fluids lost in the diarrhea. Don't expect a quick return to sol= id bowel movements. <= /span>

What should I feed my child?

Increased fluids and dietary changes are the main treatment for diarrhea.

Note: One loose bowel movement can mean nothing. Don't start dietary changes until your child has had several loose bowel movements.

Frequent, watery diarrhea

• Fluids

Encourage your child = to drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration. A child who is taking table foods doesn't need to get calories from milk.&nb= sp; Give your child water as the main fluid for the first 24 hours of wa= tery diarrhea. (Most toddlers don'= t need oral glucose-electrolyte solutions such as Pedialyte unless the child is dehydrated). On day 2, offer = some milk as well as water. Avoid = fruit juices, because they all make diarrhea worse. If your child refuses solids, give= your child milk (or formula) rather than water.=

• Table foods =

Keep giving your child table foods while he has diarrhea. The choice of food is important.&nb= sp; Starchy foods are digested best.&nb= sp; Examples of such foods are cereal (especially rice cereal), grains, bread, crackers, rice, noodles, mashed potatoes, carrots, applesauce and bananas. Pretzels or salty cr= ackers can help meet your child's need for sodium. On the second day of the diarrhea,= if your child wants some protein, soft-boiled eggs are usually easily digested. <= /p>

Mild diarrhea (loo= se BMs)

Follow a regular diet= with a few simple changes:

• Eat more foods co= ntaining starch. Starchy foods are eas= ily digested during diarrhea. Exa= mples are cereal, breads, crackers, rice, mashed potatoes, and noodles.

• Drink more water.= Avoid all fruit juices.

• Eat or drink less= milk and milk products for a few days.

• Avoid beans or any other foods that cause loose bowel movements.

How can I take care of my child?

• Common mistakes

KOOL-Aid, soda pop, o= r water should not be used as the only food because they contain little or no salt. Use only the fluids sug= gested here.

Clear fluids alone sh= ould be used for only 4 to 6 hours because the body needs more calories than cle= ar fluids can provide.

The most dangerous my= th is that the intestine should be "put to rest." Restricting fluids can cause dehydration.

There is no effective= , safe drug for diarrhea. Extra flui= ds and diet therapy work best. =

• Prevention <= /span>

Diarrhea is very contagious. Always wash your = hands after changing diapers or using the toilet. This is crucial for keeping everyo= ne in the family from getting diarrhea.

• Diaper rash from diarrh= ea

The skin near your ch= ild's anus can become irritated by the diarrhea.= Wash the area near the anus after each bowel movement and then prote= ct it with a thick layer of petroleum jelly or other ointment. This protection is especially need= ed during the night and during naps. Changing the diaper quickly after bowel movements also helps.

• Overflow diarrhea in a = child not toilet-trained

For children in diape= rs, diarrhea can be a mess. Place= a cotton washcloth inside the diaper to trap some of the more watery BM. Use disposable superabsorbent diap= ers to cut down on cleanup time. Use= the diapers with snug leg bands or cover the diapers with a pair of plastic pan= ts. Wash your child under running wate= r in the bathtub.

• Vomiting with diarrhea =

If your child has vom= ited more than twice, follow your doctor's recommended treatment for vomiting instead of this treatment for diarrhea until your child has gone 8 hours without vomiting. =

When should I call my child's health care provider?=

Call IMMEDIATELY if: =

• There are signs of dehydration (no urine in more than 8 hours, very dry mouth, no tears).

• Any blood appears= in the diarrhea.

• The diarrhea is s= evere (more than 8 BMs in the last 8 hours).&nbs= p;

• The diarrhea is w= atery AND your child also vomits the clear fluids three or more times.

• Your child starts acting very sick. =

Call during office ho= urs if:

• Mucus or pus appe= ars in the BMs.

• A fever (over 100°F, or 37.8°C) lasts more than 3 days.

• Mild diarrhea las= ts more than 2 weeks.

• You have other co= ncerns or questions.

Written by B.D. Schmit= t, M.D., author of "Your Child's Health," Bantam Books.

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis = or treatment by a healthcare professional.