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Diarrhea - what to ask your doctor - child

Definition

Diarrhea is when your child has three or more very loose bowel movements in 1 day. For many children, diarrhea is mild and will pass within a few days. For others, it may last longer. It can make your child feel weak and dehydrated. It can also lead to unhealthy weight loss.

A stomach or intestinal illness is a common cause of diarrhea. It can also be a side effect of medical treatments, such as antibiotics and some cancer treatments. Many other medicines can also cause diarrhea.

Below are questions you may want to ask a health care provider if your child has diarrhea.

Alternative Names

What to ask your doctor about diarrhea - child; Loose stools - what to ask your doctor - child

Questions

FOODS

• What foods can make my child's diarrhea worse? How should I prepare the foods for my child?
• If my child is still breastfeeding or bottle feeding, do I need to stop? Should I water down my child's formula?
• Can I feed my child milk, cheese, or yogurt? Can I give my child any dairy foods?
• What type of bread, crackers, or rice is best for my child?
• Can I feed my child any sweets? Is artificial sugar OK?
• Do I need to worry about my child getting enough salt and potassium?
• Which fruits and vegetables are best for my child? How should I prepare them?
• Are there foods my child can eat to prevent too much weight loss?

FLUIDS

• How much water or liquid should my child drink during the day? How can I tell when my child is not drinking enough?
• If my child will not drink, what are other ways to get my child enough fluids?
• Can my child drink anything with caffeine, such as coffee or tea?
• Can my child drink fruit juices or carbonated drinks?

MEDICINES

• Is it safe to give my child medicines from the store that may help slow the diarrhea down?
• Do any of the medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements my child is taking cause diarrhea?
• Are there medicines I should stop giving my child?

MEDICAL CARE

• Does having diarrhea mean my child has a more serious medical problem?
• When should I call the provider?

References

Easter JS. Pediatric gastrointestinal disorders and dehydration. In: Bakes KM, Buchanan JA, Moreira ME, Byyny R, Pons PT, eds. Emergency Medicine Secrets. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 65.

Kotloff KL. Acute gastroenteritis in children. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 366.

Schiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.

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