Children and Diarrhea

Diarrhea is common in infants and young children. Diarrhea in children most often clears up on its own and requires little or no treatment. A parent's job is to watch the child with diarrhea closely and to make sure that the child gets enough liquids and lots of tender loving care.

Causes

Many factors can contribute to the development of diarrhea. These include:

• Introduction of a new food or formula

• Drinking too much of certain juices or eating too much of certain fruits

• Food poisoning

• Illness, particularly episodes of viral “stomach flu” (gastroenteritis)

• Changes in routine, such as travel

• Teething

• Medications, especially broad-spectrum antibiotics

Self-Care

Just as in adults, the major concern for children with diarrhea is dehydration. Because of their smaller body size, children can become dehydrated more rapidly than adults. Be alert to the following signs of dehydration in children:

• Decreased or no urination (more than eight hours without urinating or a wet diaper for children younger than 1 year old; more than 12 hours without urinating for children 1 year and older)

• Dry mouth

• Decreased or absent tears

• Dizziness or disorientation

• Dry skin that does not spring back after being touched

• Dark circles around eyes

• Fever of 100.4 F or more

Make sure a child with diarrhea drinks a lot of fluids. Infants may have breast milk or formula. Electrolyte solutions can be used to maintain fluids or to replace fluids in mildly dehydrated children. They should not be used for more than 24 hours. Older children can have water; ice pops; or clear, carbonated beverages. Avoid fruit juices. Give small amounts of fluids every 15 to 30 minutes until tolerated if the child is also vomiting.  If there is no vomiting, larger amounts can be given depending on the age and weight of the child.  

If the child doesn't have an appetite, do not encourage solid foods. When his or her appetite returns, offer small amounts of easily digested foods, such as:

• Rice, noodles, bread or crackers

• Cooked carrots, peas, squash or green beans

• Canned peaches, pears or applesauce

• Lean meats such as turkey or chicken

Do not give children or teens products that contain aspirin or salicylates (such as Pepto-Bismol or Kaopectate), because they increase the risk for Reye's syndrome, a serious condition in children. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that Imodium (loperamide) NOT be used for infants younger than 24 months.

Diarrhea can be very hard on the tender skin of young children, especially those still in diapers. To protect the skin, change diapers soon after each stool. Wash your child's bottom with plain water, or sit the child in a tub with a few inches of warm water. (If you choose to use soap, use a mild one in small amounts and rinse it off well.) For cleanup, use a soft washcloth and water or a commercial diaper wipe. Some commercial wipes contain chemicals that may sting already irritated skin, so watch for any reaction in the infant when first using a pre-moistened wipe. Dry the area completely by patting it with a soft cloth or towel. Apply a generous amount of diaper ointment to protect the skin. Because cloth diapers are gentler on the skin than disposables, consider switching to cloth diapers or lining disposable diapers with cloth ones during prolonged bouts of diarrhea.