My 3 And 1/2 Year Old Son Has Had Approximately 8 Incidents Of Nausea In The Middle Of The Night, Followed By Diarrhea In The Morning ,What Specialist Would You Recommend? What Tests Would They Likely Do?

Posted on Thu, 16 Aug 2018

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 16 Aug 2018 Answered on

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Sir, My 3 and 1/2 year old son has had approximately 8 incidents of nausea in the middle of the night, followed by diarrhea in the morning. These 8 occasions have occurred over the course of approximately 1 month, and there are sometimes long breaks in between incidents, up to 7 or 8 days with no issues. He has had stool samples checked which all came back negative. His symptoms have not been accompanied by any fever or complaints of pain. His appetite is usually affected for approximately 1 day after the incidents. The Pediatrician is thinking about sending us to a specialist. What does this sound like to you? What Specialist would you recommend? What tests would they likely do?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Can be Rotavirus infection.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

As per the query answers are-

Very likely your child is having Rotavirus related infection.Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhoeal disease among young children.Any viral infection would not be reflected in any test like stool etc.

Rotavirus is highly contagious and cannot be treated with antibiotics or other drugs. Because improved sanitation does not decrease the prevalence of rotaviral disease.However vaccination would help in 80% of patients so get him vaccinated.

Ask your pediatrician for vaccination of child.
Give him oral zinc solution 5 ml.
Tests recommended-
Colonoscopy to rule out any other issue.
Thanks.

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