Can children with diarrhea eat grapes?

Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Pediatric diarrhea is a digestive syndrome characterized by an increased number of bowel movements and a change in the nature of stools, caused by multiple pathogens and factors. When a child has diarrhea, his gastrointestinal function is weak, and the absorption of nutrients is significantly reduced compared to normal. There is also significant intestinal dysfunction or clear intestinal infections causing the diarrhea. Grapes have a notable effect in promoting digestion; however, if a child with weak spleen and stomach functions consumes grapes, it could potentially worsen the situation by increasing the frequency of bowel movements. Therefore, it is advisable to minimize grape consumption in children with diarrhea.

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Written by Li Jiao Yan
Neonatology
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Can children with diarrhea eat fruit?

When a child experiences diarrhea, their gastrointestinal function is clearly disordered. They have absorption dysfunction, meaning the nutritional substances they consume are not easily absorbed. There may even be a bacterial infection in the intestines, leading to inflammatory exudation and consequently, a noticeable increase in the frequency of bowel movements and watery stools. If the child consumes cold fruits during this period, it could aggravate the diarrhea. Therefore, if parents need to give fruits to a child with diarrhea, they should choose fruits like apples or oranges and serve them warm. Other fruits, such as bananas, could increase gastrointestinal motility and thus worsen the symptoms of diarrhea. During a diarrhea episode, it is important to select appropriate fruits and avoid cold foods.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Clinical manifestations of pediatric diarrhea

Childhood diarrhea is caused by a variety of pathogens and factors, characterized primarily by diarrhea. Key features include increased stool frequency and changes in stool characteristics, possibly accompanied by fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and varying degrees of electrolyte and acid-base imbalances. The pathogens involved can be viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc. Additionally, factors like the misuse of antibiotics leading to intestinal flora imbalance, improper feeding, and getting chilled can also cause it. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe diarrhea. Generally, mild diarrhea primarily involves gastrointestinal symptoms and may accompany vomiting or poor appetite, with increased stool frequency and changes in stool characteristics, but no significant dehydration or systemic acidosis, usually recovering within a few days. Severe diarrhea is often an acute condition that can develop from mild diarrhea, presenting more severe gastrointestinal symptoms as well as noticeable dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and systemic toxicity symptoms such as fever, lethargy, drowsiness, and shock.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What medicine should a child take for diarrhea?

For children with diarrhea, it is first necessary to determine the cause of the diarrhea. If the child has diarrhea due to a viral infection, with watery stools, the first step is to replenish oral rehydration salts to prevent dehydration and oral mucosal protectants, and then give the child probiotics. For severe diarrhea, some anti-diarrheal medications can also be taken. If the child has diarrhea due to a bacterial infection, or dysentery, which is also a bacterial infection, or caused by Shigella bacteria, it is necessary to treat the child with antibiotics under the guidance of a hospital doctor in order to achieve the treatment goal. (Please use medication under the guidance of a professional physician, and do not self-medicate.)

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Clinical manifestations of childhood diarrhea

Pediatric diarrhea is caused by a variety of pathogens and factors, characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in the characteristics of stools. It is one of the most common diseases in infants and young children in China, with a high incidence in infants and young children from six months to two years old, half of which are under one year old. It is one of the main causes of malnutrition and growth and development disorders in children. Diarrhea has some common manifestations, including loss of appetite, occasional regurgitation or vomiting, increased frequency of bowel movements, watery or thin stools that are yellow or yellow-green, some with a sour smell. In severe cases of diarrhea, it is important to check for dehydration and electrolyte disorders, as well as symptoms of systemic infection and intoxication, such as fever, irritability or lethargy, drowsiness, pale complexion, and even coma and shock.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Treatment methods for childhood diarrhea

Firstly, it is important to pay attention to the baby’s response and the condition of their urination. If the baby shows poor spirit response and less urination, it often indicates dehydration, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. Generally, mild to moderate dehydration can be treated with oral rehydration solutions, which include electrolytes replenishment. However, in cases of severe dehydration, which may suggest hypovolemic shock, emergency intravenous fluids are necessary to expand blood volume, and it is crucial to go to the hospital promptly. Additionally, oral probiotics like bifidobacteria can be administered to regulate the intestinal flora. Montmorillonite powder can also be given to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa and stop diarrhea. If bacterial infection is suspected to be the cause of diarrhea, appropriate antibiotics should be used to treat the infection, which can be administered orally or intravenously depending on the severity of the infection. Meanwhile, the baby's urination, spirit response, skin elasticity, and symptoms of dry mouth should be closely monitored to comprehensively evaluate the treatment effectiveness.