Nutrition For Children With Diarrhea

Why is diarrhea a concern for parents? Dehydration, poor nutrition, and poor health 200,000 hospitalizations per year in U.S. 300 deaths per year in U.S.

How can I tell if my child has diarrhea? Change in the normal frequency and looseness of the stools (poop) ↑ frequency ↑ looseness Color change Bad odor Mucus Blood

What are some causes of diarrhea in children? Germs Food allergy or food intolerance Medications Too much juice, fruit, or sugar Too much fluid Very low-fat diets

How long does diarrhea last? Acute diarrhea 1 to several days Chronic diarrhea More than 2 weeks Both can be dangerous if fluid loss is large We will talk about acute diarrhea

Children with diarrhea should drink an oral rehydration solution like Pedialyte Replaces lost water and minerals like sodium and potassium

What should I do if my child has acute diarrhea? Immediately give your child Pedialyte Watch for signs of dehydration Contact your doctor if your child is dehydrated Talk to your doctor if you have any other question or concern If your child is not dehydrated, continue to give your child Pedialyte, other fluids, and food

1. Immediately give your child Pedialyte to drink Always have a supply of Pedialyte in the home When diarrhea begins Offer Pedialyte immediately For children < 22 pounds ¼ cup to ½ cup (2-4 ounces) per diarrhea stool For children > 22 pounds ½ cup to 1 cup (4-8 ounces) per diarrhea stool

How can we offer Pedialyte to our children? Offer Pedialyte by Bottle Cup Teaspoon Syringe Medicine dropper Freezer pops Smaller amounts at first usually work best Larger amounts may increase vomiting

2. Watch for signs of dehydration Contact your doctor if your child shows any signs of dehydration. What are some signs of dehydration?

Signs of dehydration Increased thirst ↓ urine Weight loss Dry mouth and tongue ↓ tears or no tears when crying Sunken eyes Sunken soft spot on infant’s head Tired, restless, or irritable Rapid and deep breathing Pinched skin stays folded

3. Contact your doctor if your child is dehydrated.

4. Talk to your doctor if you have any other question or concern. Young infant Blood in stool (poop) Persistent vomiting Fever

Offer usual fluids and foods 5. If your child is not dehydrated, continue to give him/her Pedialyte, other fluids, and food. Give Pedialyte Offer usual fluids and foods Breast milk, formula, water, milk Usual foods Avoid sugary fluids and foods Soda pop, Kool-Aid, juice, Jello-water, or Gatorade Pre-sweetened cereals, popsicles, or other sugary foods

What is the BRAT diet? Bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast All four foods are okay Too restrictive

Summary What do you do if your child has diarrhea? Immediately give your child Pedialyte Watch for signs of dehydration Contact your doctor if your child is dehydrated Talk to your doctor if you have any other question or concern If your child is not dehydrated, continue to give your child Pedialyte, other fluids, and food