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The information provided by The Pediatric Group, PLLC website is information of a general nature and is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be relied on for personal medical reasons and should not be relied upon as providing specific medical advice or for diagnosis or treatment. All information contained on this website is presented as is, without any warranties of any kind, express or implied.
Please note that visiting this website alone does not establish a physician-patient relationship with any physician engaged by The Pediatric Group, PLLC. You should consult your own physician for specific advice for your own personal situation.
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Diarrhea (Without Vomiting)  Definition:
Diarrhea is a watery, loose bowel movement that may be mild (a
few loose stools) or severe (many loose stools). It usually
occurs because of a viral infection of the stomach and intestines.
Diarrhea is the body’s way of getting rid of the infection.
Diarrhea will frequently result in a diaper rash as well. Some medications, particularly antibiotics, can cause diarrhea.
Viral diarrhea generally lasts 5-7 days and is always worse on
days 1 and 2. The primary concern is loss of fluids (dehydration).
Some
signs of dehydration include a very dry mouth, lack of wet (as opposed
to poopy) diapers, no tears when crying, poor skin tone and color,
unresponsiveness. These last three signs appear when a child is
significantly dehydrated.
Home Care:
Breast fed infants:
Continue breastfeeding at more frequent intervals.
Supplement with PediaLyte® or InfaLyte® if urine output decreases
(often indicated by darker colored urine).
Formula fed infants under 1 year
of age with mild diarrhea:
- Increase the amount and frequency of formula feedings.
Formula fed infants under 1 year
of age with frequent diarrhea:
- Start PediaLyte® or InfaLyte®. For infants who don’t
like the flavor, trying mixing the PediaLyte/InfaLyte with Gatorade.
Use this alone for 4-6 hours. Offer unlimited amounts.
Avoid using Jello® water or sports drinks, as these do not
contain the essential electrolytes needed.
- Get back to formula by 6 hours at the latest.
Your child needs the calories formula provides. Use full-strength
formula. Offer it more regularly than you normally do.
- For prolonged diarrhea (lasting more than 3 days), try
switching to a lactose-free or soy formula. Children older than 6
months of age may benefit from Isomil-DF®, which contains extra fiber.
Children older than 1 year:
- Solids: Starchy foods are absorbed best. Give
cereals (especially rice cereal), oatmeal, bread, crackers, noodles,
mashed potatoes, carrots, applesauce, strained bananas. Pretzels
or saltine crackers can help replace lost sodium.
- Fluids: If your child is taking adequate solids,
give water, milk or formula. If your child refuses solids, give
milk or formula. PediaLyte® freezer pops may work well in this
setting.
- Avoid all fruit juices and soft drinks. They make diarrhea worse.
- For severe diarrhea, also give 4-8 ounces of PediaLyte or diluted Gatorade after every large watery stool.
If
the skin around your child’s anus is getting sore, wash gently and then
apply a protective ointment (such as Desitin, A&D ointment, or zinc
oxide) to protect the skin.
Call our office urgently if:
- Your child shows signs of dehydration.
- There is blood in your child’s stool (more than just a streak or two). Collect a sample in a clean container for the lab.
- Your child is less than one month of age and has had 3 or more diarrhea stools; remember that breast-fed babies have stools that are not formed and may appear “loose”; this is normal.
- Your child is less than one year of age and has had more than 8 diarrhea stools in the last eight hours.
- Your child has very watery diarrhea combined with vomiting clear liquids 3 or more times.
- Your child has abdominal pain which does not go away after a stool.
Call our office during regular office hours if:
- There is mucus or pus in your child’s stool for more than 2 days.
- Diarrhea lasts more than 2 weeks.
- Your potty trained child loses control of his/her bowels for more than 2 days.
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