How Can Severe Diarrhea In A Child Be Treated?

Posted on Tue, 12 Sep 2017

Question: Hi Doctor,
This is first time for me to be here.my daughter is about 1 year,last 3 days she is having diarrhea 4 times a day with green color waste .any advice .

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not a cause for concern. Proper hydration is important.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Let me assure you that a stool frequency of 4 times a day is nothing concerning and does not count as diarrhea. 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.

However, you need to give her ORS (oral rehydration solution) to replenish the lost fluids and salts. Unless the lost salts and fluids are replenished the child would become dehydrated. The urine output needs to be monitored. If the frequency comes down it indicates dehydration and calls for additional supplementation of fluids. But if the child becomes lethargic you would need to take the child to a hospital without delay. The cause is self-limiting and does not need to be treated with antibiotics unless the stool is blood stained.

Please be patient. Feel free to write back.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 hours later)

Thanks doctor,appreciate it .So no need to go doctor ?

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. As of now I do not see the requirement for visiting a doctor. However, in case you observe the urinary frequency to drop or if the baby seems lethargic you would need to rush to a doctor.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad