8 March 2019 There are a number of causes of acute diarrhoea, including: Changes in diet; Reactions to medication; Gastrointestinal infections. What should you do with children with acute diarrhoea? When a child has diarrhoea, there is an increased loss of body fluid . Given the risk of dehydration, it is very important to replenish these fluids. For this reason, make sure the child drinks plenty of fluids in small quantities throughout the day. Recommended fluids include: Sweetened (weak) black tea; Rice water (boil two tablespoons of rice in a litre of water until the water has reduced to half, remove the rice and top up to a litre with boiled water); Oral rehydration solution. In infants, continue to breastfeed and increase the frequency of feeds. In infants being bottle fed, the formula can be prepared with rice water. Make some changes to solid foods , as shown below. What is the recommended diet for children with acute diarrhoea? In acute diarrhoea attacks, keep feeding the child or resume feeding as soon as possible. Include the following foods in the child’s diet: Carrot soup; Fat-free chicken broth; Rice porridge made with water; Boiled rice; Boiled or grilled fish or meat; Boiled apple or pear; Ripe bananas; Natural yoghurt with sugar; Toast with jam or marmalade. Avoid the following foods: High-fat foods; Greens; Raw fruit; Sweets; Any other foods not on the recommended list. When should I seek medical help? Seek medical help immediately in the following situations: Acute diarrhoea in children aged under six months; When there is persistent vomiting; When the fluids offered are not tolerated; In the event of prostration, severe irritability or repeated complaints; In the event of serious abdominal pain, blood in stools or high fever (over 39.5ºC); When there are signs of dehydration, including: Sunken eyes; Dry mouth; Sunken fontanelle (the “soft spot” of a baby’s head); Crying without tears; Reduced urination, dry nappies. At the hospitals and clinics of the Hospital da Luz network, there are paediatric specialists who monitor the health of children and young people. This article was written by the pediatrics doctors from the Hospital da Luz network . The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
