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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea In A Child

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Posted on Mon, 17 Oct 2016
Question: My 10 months old kid is suffering from diarrhea from last 3 days ..i would like to check if you can recommend any medicine that we can use for him, we are located in USA currently.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Follow the Advises..

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX, Welcome to HCM,

I've gone through your query and understand your concern for your baby..

First of all, please note that mostly dirrhoea at this age group of children is primarily due to viral infection which is usually self-limiting (within 5-7 days may extend even up to 10 days)..

So the mainstay of treatment management is prevention of dehydration in the first place and strict observation of the symptoms.. Since it's ongoing for 3 days now, first of all get WHO-ORS solution (eg. Pedialyte, you can easily get in the nearby pharmacy).. let the kid drink as much as he feels like drinking.. don't let him eat/drink any outside food strictly.. it's important for the kids to drink mainly liquids and broths (eg. light home made XXXXXXX chicken/vegetable soups etc.) rather than only plain water as calorie requirement is equally important at the same time.. try to encourage him to drink the ORS to compensate for every motion episode quantity (eg. if ~100ml motion then 100ml ORS roughly)..

Since you haven't mentioned any fever/ pain abdomen/ vomiting/ blood-mucus in the motion, I'm assuming there isn't any such episodes..

Meanwhile please be vigilant on the urine color and urine out-put, make sure he maintains an usual frequency there.. also ensure that there's no tongue dryness at the same time (these will give you a brief idea of the hydration status of the baby)..

If despite following all these, there's no significant improvement within next 24 hrs or any further increase in the motion frequency, any new onset fever, blood in motion, vomiting etc. then you must take him to the nearest Pediatrician / Children's hospital without any further delay for a detailed clinical check-up as well as some relevant investigations (eg. CBC, Stool routine microscopy and culture sensitivity etc.) as well as initiation of parenteral fluid replacement and antibiotic therapy accordingly..

Let me know if there's any further queries..


Take Care
Kind Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr.Arnab (29 minutes later)
Thank you so much for your quick response, and your guidance is highly appreciated.
we gave him Pedialyte for 24 hours initially when he passed 7 motions a day, and today it reduced to 4 motions we continue to give him Pedialyte for next 24 hours . However we have a doctor appointment booked just in case if the situation become worse.

Thank you so much again

Regards XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Arnab (11 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it's started getting controlled then, nothing to worry..

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back XXXXXXX

Thanks for following up with these details,

Yes, seems like the motion frequency has started getting controlled then, which is expected in viral infections as I've already mentioned, you should observe further improvement in the next 24-48 hrs..

This is high time now for the kid, as the immunity remains on the lower side, be extra-cautious on any outside food/drinks (strictly no-no as already mentioned)..

Yes, please continue with Pedialyte for another 24 hrs.. let him have those liquids and broths at the same time round the clock as already mentioned..

Yes, it's good that the appointment is pre-made just in case..however even if the symptoms get controlled over another 24-48 hrs (which is quite likely), I'd still suggest just to get him checked up clinically once for a routine precautionary measure..

Take care
Kind Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Arnab

Critical Care Specialist

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1479 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Diarrhea In A Child

Brief Answer: Follow the Advises.. Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX, Welcome to HCM, I've gone through your query and understand your concern for your baby.. First of all, please note that mostly dirrhoea at this age group of children is primarily due to viral infection which is usually self-limiting (within 5-7 days may extend even up to 10 days).. So the mainstay of treatment management is prevention of dehydration in the first place and strict observation of the symptoms.. Since it's ongoing for 3 days now, first of all get WHO-ORS solution (eg. Pedialyte, you can easily get in the nearby pharmacy).. let the kid drink as much as he feels like drinking.. don't let him eat/drink any outside food strictly.. it's important for the kids to drink mainly liquids and broths (eg. light home made XXXXXXX chicken/vegetable soups etc.) rather than only plain water as calorie requirement is equally important at the same time.. try to encourage him to drink the ORS to compensate for every motion episode quantity (eg. if ~100ml motion then 100ml ORS roughly).. Since you haven't mentioned any fever/ pain abdomen/ vomiting/ blood-mucus in the motion, I'm assuming there isn't any such episodes.. Meanwhile please be vigilant on the urine color and urine out-put, make sure he maintains an usual frequency there.. also ensure that there's no tongue dryness at the same time (these will give you a brief idea of the hydration status of the baby).. If despite following all these, there's no significant improvement within next 24 hrs or any further increase in the motion frequency, any new onset fever, blood in motion, vomiting etc. then you must take him to the nearest Pediatrician / Children's hospital without any further delay for a detailed clinical check-up as well as some relevant investigations (eg. CBC, Stool routine microscopy and culture sensitivity etc.) as well as initiation of parenteral fluid replacement and antibiotic therapy accordingly.. Let me know if there's any further queries.. Take Care Kind Regards