Why should zinc be supplemented for children with diarrhea?

Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

Updated on September 17, 2024

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Childhood diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disease. After controlling the diarrhea in children, it is generally necessary to supplement with zinc for about ten days. During the diarrhea, the intestinal mucosa is damaged by pathogens. Zinc can promote the repair of the intestinal mucosa, while preventing the child from experiencing diarrhea again in the short term. Therefore, it is very important to supplement with zinc after childhood diarrhea. Additionally, while supplementing zinc, it is also very necessary to supplement other trace elements.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min

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What should children with diarrhea not eat?

Children's diarrhea can be classified into infectious and non-infectious types. Generally, if it is infectious diarrhea, it is crucial to provide a light and easily digestible diet. If the infant is breastfed, continue breastfeeding, but the mother's diet should also be light and easily digestible. If the child is formula-fed, you can feed them diarrhea-specific formula and gradually add some supplementary foods such as thin porridge, noodles, and fruit juice. However, greasy and hard-to-digest foods should be avoided as much as possible, and this applies to older children as well; they also should not consume fatty and spicy foods. Additionally, foods that are hard to digest should be avoided to aid in the recovery of the condition. If it is non-infectious diarrhea, for example, caused by allergies to milk or eggs, avoid consuming these allergenic foods. In cases of lactose intolerance causing diarrhea, avoid lactose-containing milk powder; switch to diarrhea-specific formula instead.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

35sec

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What medicine should a child take for indigestion and diarrhea?

For childhood indigestion and diarrhea, one can initially use intestinal probiotics to modulate the gut flora, such as Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus. Additionally, zinc supplementation can be provided to promote the repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Another option is to administer Smecta to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. Digestive medications can also be given, such as Chinese medicinal herbs like hawthorn, Shenqu, and malt to aid digestion. Furthermore, it is important to ensure the diet consists of easily digestible foods.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min 2sec

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Clinical manifestations of childhood diarrhea

Pediatric diarrhea is caused by a variety of pathogens and factors, characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in the characteristics of stools. It is one of the most common diseases in infants and young children in China, with a high incidence in infants and young children from six months to two years old, half of which are under one year old. It is one of the main causes of malnutrition and growth and development disorders in children. Diarrhea has some common manifestations, including loss of appetite, occasional regurgitation or vomiting, increased frequency of bowel movements, watery or thin stools that are yellow or yellow-green, some with a sour smell. In severe cases of diarrhea, it is important to check for dehydration and electrolyte disorders, as well as symptoms of systemic infection and intoxication, such as fever, irritability or lethargy, drowsiness, pale complexion, and even coma and shock.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

39sec

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How many days will it take for a child's diarrhea to get better?

Children's diarrhea can be divided into viral diarrhea and bacterial enteritis. Viral diarrhea, most commonly rotavirus enteritis, follows a specific disease course, where most cases gradually recover after 5-7 days with rehydration and symptomatic treatment. If it is bacterial enteritis, effective anti-infection treatment with sensitive antibiotics can also control the symptoms within 5-7 days. Additionally, some diarrheas caused by bacterial dysentery generally require 7-14 days of treatment, and fungal enteritis also typically needs one to two weeks of treatment.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

57sec

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What are the treatment methods for infectious diarrhea in children?

For infectious diarrhea in children, it is first important to determine if the cause is viral or bacterial. In general, rehydration should be provided first to prevent dehydration; oral rehydration salts are commonly used to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes. Additionally, probiotics can be given to regulate the gut flora, commonly including bifidobacteria. Another option is to administer smectite powder to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is also appropriate to supplement zinc and folic acid to promote the repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. If a bacterial infection is suspected, sensitive antibiotics can be administered, commonly cephalosporins or penicillins for anti-infection treatment. If a viral infection is considered to be causing the diarrhea, some antiviral medications can be added to the treatment. Pay attention to the baby’s mental response and urination situation.