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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea In Child

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Posted on Fri, 20 Mar 2015
Question: my baby is 12 months old and suffering from severe diahhrea, what medicines can i give him to stop it as today is the 3rd day and i dont see any improvement.
i have been giving
1- Sporolac
2- Bifilac
3-Diaralyte in equal intervals but of no use.
my friend advised to give LOPOX tablet so gave him a quarter of the tiny tablet mixed in water.
will there be any side effect?
what else can i do stop it.
am aslo following the BRAT diet Banana,rice,applesause,toast.

Also i dont know what i have to be aware in his food?
he was eating all normal food and suddenly diarrea started
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
may take a few more days for the stool frequency to come down.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. In most cases, loose motions in children is caused due to a virus called rotavirus where antibiotics are ineffective. It can start all of a sudden as in this case. The medicines that you are giving, are proper. But you need give ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) or Diaralyte to replenish the lost water and salts. It is the mainstay of treatment. It is not supposed to bring down the frequency of passage of loose stools. The loose motions are not likely to stop all of a sudden. Unless the child grows lethargic, I would not get concerned. It may still take 3-7 days (from the onset) to stop. You may give zinc supplementation with Zinconia Syr 2.5ml twice daily for 5 days. It will help in the intestinal healing as the diarrhoea causes some damage to the inner wall of the intestines. You may also give plenty of curd or yogurt. It contains plenty of beneficial bacteria as does bifilac.

It is good to hear that you are following the BRAT diet. Although not clinically proven, it is believed to be effective.

Lopox contains loperamide. It is very effective in stopping or reducing the passage of loose stools. It basically slows down the bowel movements. The main side effect is that it could make bowel movements stop altogether and cause related complications. So, paediatricians use this medication with caution. I would suggest that you give not more than only a few doses of this medicine.

I do not think that you need to do any other thing to stop the passage of loose stools. Be patient. Give ORS and the medicines. It would soon be fine.

Hope that helps.

If you found my answer helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (4 hours later)
Thanks for the answer.
How many doses of LOPOX can i give.
Please explain in detail.

Also i forgot to mention that inhave changed from powder milk(Aptamil) to full fat cows milk.
Only give full fat milk with cereals, could that have caused diahrrra??
Can switching milk cause diahrea
Shall i stop or can i continue with normal food what i offer to him??
I also give omlet is that ok??
I am confused now as to what to give and what not to.
Please explain the foods that i should give??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (10 hours later)
Brief Answer:
3-4 doses of Lopox should be reasonable to be given.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. Sorry for not being able to write back earlier.

I would recommend not more than 3-4 doses of Lopox. In case you have given more already, you need not worry. You may stop giving further doses.

The change of milk may have a role to play in the development of diarrhoea. Cow milk is difficult for a baby to digest. But I would assure you that at this age, milk is an optional food ingredient provided you give other nutritive food principles which compensate for the nutrients in milk. I would recommend a mashed version of adult diet low on spices. Omlet can be given, no issues.

DIET CHART FOR YOUR CHILD:
Breast milk or formula,
Pureed or strained fruits (banana, pears, applesauce, peaches)
Pureed or strained vegetables (avocado, well-cooked carrots, squash, and sweet potato)
Pureed meat (chicken, porK)
Pureed tofu
Small amounts of unsweetened yogurt (but no cows' milk until age 1)
Pureed legumes (black beans, chickpeas,black-eyed peas, lentils, and kidney beans)
Iron-fortified cereal(oats, barley)
How many times per day:
1 teaspoon fruit, gradually increased to 1/2 cup in 2 or 3 feedings
1 teaspoon vegetables, gradually increased to 1/2 cup in 2 or 3 feedings
3 to 9 tablespoons cereal mixed with breast milk or formula, twice a day., in 2 or 3 feedings.

Hope that helps.

If you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3875 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Diarrhea In Child

Brief Answer: may take a few more days for the stool frequency to come down. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. In most cases, loose motions in children is caused due to a virus called rotavirus where antibiotics are ineffective. It can start all of a sudden as in this case. The medicines that you are giving, are proper. But you need give ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) or Diaralyte to replenish the lost water and salts. It is the mainstay of treatment. It is not supposed to bring down the frequency of passage of loose stools. The loose motions are not likely to stop all of a sudden. Unless the child grows lethargic, I would not get concerned. It may still take 3-7 days (from the onset) to stop. You may give zinc supplementation with Zinconia Syr 2.5ml twice daily for 5 days. It will help in the intestinal healing as the diarrhoea causes some damage to the inner wall of the intestines. You may also give plenty of curd or yogurt. It contains plenty of beneficial bacteria as does bifilac. It is good to hear that you are following the BRAT diet. Although not clinically proven, it is believed to be effective. Lopox contains loperamide. It is very effective in stopping or reducing the passage of loose stools. It basically slows down the bowel movements. The main side effect is that it could make bowel movements stop altogether and cause related complications. So, paediatricians use this medication with caution. I would suggest that you give not more than only a few doses of this medicine. I do not think that you need to do any other thing to stop the passage of loose stools. Be patient. Give ORS and the medicines. It would soon be fine. Hope that helps. If you found my answer helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating. Regards Dr. Diptanshu Das