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What Causes Acute Diarrhea In Children?

Posted on Fri, 3 Jul 2015

Question: Question for a paediatrician - My 2 year old daughter is suffering from loose motions for the last 2-3 days, about 4-5 times a day. The stools are not smelly or with mucous but is thin watery, black in colour sometimes contains undigested food parts. She otherwise doesn't seem to have pain but has no control over her stools. She is fully potty trained so it is unusual. Also note that she was facing constipation on and off for the last month and a half. We have been giving Zincris so far.
Additionally she is having running nose now (was coughing in the morning but now not coughing).
Could this be season change related infection? Please advise medication as well as home remedies to offer relief. We have also given her honey and ginger a couple of times in the day.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Plenty of fluids,rest same

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

Your guess is right.This appears to be a kind of viral infection involving both intestinal and respiratory tract.
Once there is viral loose stool it usually take 4-5 days sometimes longer for the stool pattern to become normal.The main aim is to prevent dehydration by giving plenty of fluids(ORS).
I won't get worried if she is accepting feeds well,passing urine normally and there is no excessive irritablity/lethargy.
Zinc and probiotic helps in early recovery.
So I suggest you to give probiotics twice a day along with zinc.
Honey and ginger is a good home remedy for mild cough.I would like to continue it.

Avoid milk,fruit juice,carbonated drink and sweetened items in the food as this may precipitate loose stool.
Once the loose stool resolves,give her fiber rich diet with plenty of water to avoid constipation.
Please do ask if you have any more query.
Wish your baby speedy recovery.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (8 hours later)

Thank you doctor. What probiotics should be given? She is taking curd. Also have replaced milk with Pediasure, is that fine?

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can give enterogermina

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the follow

It's good that she is taking curd and you have already replaced milk with pediasure.
Curd itself is a rich source of probiotic.You can give enterogermina minibottle one daily for 3-4 days for early recovery.
Keep her hydrated well as this is of utmost importance.
Wish her speedy recovery.
Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar