What are the symptoms of diarrhea in children?

Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
Updated on October 29, 2024
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When children experience diarrhea, it is defined by an increased frequency of bowel movements and changes in the stool's consistency, which might appear as watery, mushy, or mucus-filled. The mucus may contain blood streaks. Additionally, children may exhibit systemic symptoms including persistent fever accompanied by nausea and vomiting, while the frequency of bowel movements noticeably increases, and the fever may present as persistent high temperature. Due to frequent episodes of diarrhea, the child might show signs of dehydration such as poor skin elasticity, sunken eye sockets, and if not yet closed, a sunken fontanelle. The skin can be particularly dry, and the child may have reduced urine production. In cases of severe diarrhea, the child may also appear lethargic or drowsy and show signs of circulatory collapse.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What does pediatric diarrhea mean?

Pediatric diarrhea mainly refers to an increase in the frequency of bowel movements in children caused by various pathogens and factors, as well as changes in the characteristics of the stool, which is a group of diseases caused by various reasons. It can be infectious or non-infectious. When children experience diarrhea, it is most often caused by bacterial or viral infections, which require active treatment. If the diarrhea is caused by non-infectious factors such as indigestion, symptomatic treatment is generally sufficient. Once pediatric diarrhea occurs, in addition to symptomatic treatment, it is essential to administer oral rehydration salts to the child. Oral rehydration salts can prevent dehydration in the child, reduce the frequency of bowel movements, and minimize the need for intravenous fluids. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can children with diarrhea eat eggs?

Diarrhea in children is itself a manifestation of gastroenteritis. During this process, the baby's digestive function will definitely be affected, so the diet must be light and consist of easily digestible foods, such as milk, rice porridge, and noodles. Babies who are breastfed can continue to be breastfed, but spicy, irritating, greasy, and difficult-to-digest foods should be avoided as much as possible. Eggs are high in protein and phospholipids and are not suitable for children during diarrhea because they can increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract and hinder the recovery from the diarrhea condition. Therefore, eggs should not be eaten directly during diarrhea.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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What formula should a child with diarrhea eat?

When a child experiences diarrhea, it indicates that there is an abnormality in their gastrointestinal function, and their ability to absorb nutrients is significantly weakened. If the child is fed ordinary formula, it might overburden their stomach and intestines, making digestion difficult and possibly exacerbating the diarrhea symptoms. Therefore, when a child has diarrhea, it is advisable to choose foods or formulas that are easy to digest. During periods of diarrhea, it is generally recommended for children to consume a special formula designed for infants with diarrhea. This formula is easier to absorb and helps in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, making it suitable for children with diarrhea.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
57sec home-news-image

What are the symptoms of diarrhea in children?

When children experience diarrhea, it is defined by an increased frequency of bowel movements and changes in the stool's consistency, which might appear as watery, mushy, or mucus-filled. The mucus may contain blood streaks. Additionally, children may exhibit systemic symptoms including persistent fever accompanied by nausea and vomiting, while the frequency of bowel movements noticeably increases, and the fever may present as persistent high temperature. Due to frequent episodes of diarrhea, the child might show signs of dehydration such as poor skin elasticity, sunken eye sockets, and if not yet closed, a sunken fontanelle. The skin can be particularly dry, and the child may have reduced urine production. In cases of severe diarrhea, the child may also appear lethargic or drowsy and show signs of circulatory collapse.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
49sec home-news-image

Can children with diarrhea eat grapes?

Pediatric diarrhea is a digestive syndrome characterized by an increased number of bowel movements and a change in the nature of stools, caused by multiple pathogens and factors. When a child has diarrhea, his gastrointestinal function is weak, and the absorption of nutrients is significantly reduced compared to normal. There is also significant intestinal dysfunction or clear intestinal infections causing the diarrhea. Grapes have a notable effect in promoting digestion; however, if a child with weak spleen and stomach functions consumes grapes, it could potentially worsen the situation by increasing the frequency of bowel movements. Therefore, it is advisable to minimize grape consumption in children with diarrhea.