Diarrhea

What is diarrhea?

Diarrhea means frequent liquid stools three or more times a day. The stools become watery or mushy. One-time loose stools may be considered normal if the diet is changed.
Parents often describe diarrhea as an "upset stomach".

Be aware of this!

During the first weeks of life, naturally fed babies may have bowel movements between 4 and 10 times a day. Sometimes once every 4-5 days, and this is also considered normal.
The stools are usually yellow but may be green, indicating an admixture of bile.
In formula-fed babies, bowel movements occur 1-8 times a day during the first week of life. Then the frequency is reduced to 1-4 and continues until two months of age.
Bowel action in children is individual - in some after each feeding and in some every 3-4 days, which does not require additional intervention.

A virus (rotavirus) is the most common cause of diarrhea.
Bacteria is a relatively rare cause.
Food poisoning - fast onset of vomiting and diarrhea within a few hours after a meal. Symptoms usually go away within 24 hours.
Parasites.
Traveler's diarrhea - caused by travelling to another country.
Other causes - such as cow's milk allergy, lactose intolerance, or effects of medicines.

A major complication of diarrhea is dehydration!

Thirst
Dry oral mucosa, chapped lips
Lack of tears when crying
Dry nappy or no urine for 4-6 hours (in infants and young children), no urine for 6-8 hours (in older children)
Dark yellow or brown urine
Sunken eyes
Sunken fontanelle
Weakness, tiredness and/or sleepiness.

Lack of energy, tiredness, unable to get up, unwillingness to play.
You believe the child has a life-threatening condition.
Does not urinate for 8 hours or has dark urine, dry mouth or cries without tears.
There is blood in the stool.
Persistent abdominal pain lasting for 2 hours.
Vomiting fluids three or more times.
The child under one month has bowel action three or more times (which has not been seen before).
Severe diarrhea - 10 or more bowel movements with liquid stools in the past 24 hours.
The temperature of 39° or higher.
Weak immune system (sickle cell anemia, AIDS, cancer, organ transplant, taking oral steroids).
The child looks very sick.

A virus causes most diarrhea.
Bacterial infections are much less common.
Noxious substances are flushed out of the body through diarrhea
Dehydration is a significant complication of diarrhea.
Most children can eat their regular food.
Give plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Infant formula or breast milk is good for diarrhea; give them more often and in small portions; and water.
Avoid too sweet fruit juices or sports drinks. It makes diarrhea worse.
Give extra fluids in the form of an oral rehydration solution.
Children do not need a special diet for diarrhea.
Do not give fatty foods.
Give solid foods such as porridge, crackers, rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, and bananas as these are easier to digest.

Under one year - 60-120 ml after each bowel action.
Over one year - 120-140 ml after each bowel action.
Do not use Rehydrone instead of food, it does not contain enough calories. Rehydrone is used to replenish lost body fluids and electrolytes.

From 12 months of age, you can give your child yoghurt containing probiotics, or a probiotic prescribed by a doctor (available from the pharmacy without a prescription).

Wash your hands before eating, feeding, caring and preparing food for your child.
Wash your hands after any contact with vomit or feces.
Wash your hands after using the toilet or changing a nappy.
Help children wash their hands.
Use well-cooked meat for baby food.
Use bottled or boiled water if you are unsure about the purity of water.
Avoid eating a salad or raw vegetables.
Do not buy food from the street.
Wash dishes thoroughly.