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What Causes Green Stool In A Child?

Posted on Mon, 4 Jul 2016

Question: hi, my son is five months old and weighs 7 kgs. For the post 20 days he is having loose motions. intially the frequency was more like 10-15 times. Now the frequency has come down to 6-7 times but not in a consistent way. some day, he will pass 4- 5 times and some days little more.as per the paediatrician's suggestion, we are giving 2.5ml of nutrolin-b and 0.5ml of zinc. and also for the redness around the anus, we apply siloderm. Now the redness is also reducing. the stool is in green color sometimes. he is active and also he started rolling over more frequently since yesterday. Do I need to worry about the loose motions? still how many days I have to continue the drops?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Just maintain hydration. No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on Health care magic.

For a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. The green colour occurs due to rapid transit through large intestine where the bile pigments do not get adequate time to convert to the yellow colour of stool. If the child is on breastfeeding, all you need to do is to increase the amount of breast feeding. Else, electrobion or ORS may be given 50-100ml/kg over 4 hours depending on the hydration level. The following link would give you the specifics of the same:
http://www.fpnotebook.com/mobile/peds/fen/orlrhydrtnthrpyprtclinpdtrcdhydrtn.htm

Breast milk takes care of immunity against common ailments including diarrhea. So, automatically your worries would be reduced. During this period it is better to withhold formula milk if feasible. You need to monitor the urinary output. If it is more than 6-8 times in 24 hours, it is not a cause for concern.

Zinc supplements are likely to be beneficial and should be given once a day for 10 days. Nutrolin B is optional and if given, it should be given once a day. Continue Siloderm till the redness subsides.

Feel free to write back in case of further queries.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (14 hours later)

hi, Thank you very much for the consultation. He is only breast-feeding and no formula milk. urine frequency is also like more than 7 times. Most of the time he passes with the stool itself. is there any foods that needs to be avoided by the mother? what kind of diet we can follow

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
No need to worry.

Detailed Answer:
It is good to know that the baby is being exclusively breast fed. Since the urine output is adequate, you need not worry and all you need to do is to continue breast feeding the baby. You may give zinc supplementation but nothing else needs to be done. No restrictions on the mother's diet and any sort of healthy diet is fine.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (51 minutes later)

thanks for the advice. the mother is feeling feverish and had a half dose of dolo 650. is it safe to have dolo 650 during breast feeding. what medications she can have for the fever. there is no other symptoms except the fever. it is around 101 Fahrenheit.

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Paracetamol is safe.

Detailed Answer:
Dolo 650 can be taken safely while breastfeeding the baby. You need not give her half the dose. 500 mg or 650 mg can be given without worrying.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D