What should children with diarrhea not eat?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on August 31, 2024
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Children's diarrhea can be classified into infectious and non-infectious types. Generally, if it is infectious diarrhea, it is crucial to provide a light and easily digestible diet. If the infant is breastfed, continue breastfeeding, but the mother's diet should also be light and easily digestible. If the child is formula-fed, you can feed them diarrhea-specific formula and gradually add some supplementary foods such as thin porridge, noodles, and fruit juice. However, greasy and hard-to-digest foods should be avoided as much as possible, and this applies to older children as well; they also should not consume fatty and spicy foods. Additionally, foods that are hard to digest should be avoided to aid in the recovery of the condition. If it is non-infectious diarrhea, for example, caused by allergies to milk or eggs, avoid consuming these allergenic foods. In cases of lactose intolerance causing diarrhea, avoid lactose-containing milk powder; switch to diarrhea-specific formula instead.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Moderate dehydration manifestations in children with diarrhea

In cases of moderate dehydration due to diarrhea in children, some common clinical manifestations include sunken eye sockets. If the anterior fontanelle has not closed in infants under one year old, it may appear sunken, and there can be a decrease in skin elasticity, dry lips and mucous membranes, and a reduction in urine output. Some may also experience increased heart rate, dry mouth, and a preference for drinking. In this situation, it is crucial to promptly rehydrate, primarily through oral rehydration. If oral rehydration is difficult, intravenous rehydration should be administered, while also maintaining the balance of water and electrolytes.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Which area is used for moxibustion to treat diarrhea in children?

For clinical pediatric diarrhea, moxibustion is mainly applied to the abdominal area. Moxa sticks can be used, starting with moxibustion at the Shenque point around the navel for 3 to 5 minutes. Then, moxibustion can be performed at the Tianshu points on both sides of the navel, which are on the abdomen, as well as the Guanyuan point on the lower abdomen and the Zhongwan point on the upper abdomen, achieving the purpose of astringing the intestines to stop diarrhea and relieve pain. In addition to moxibustion on the upper and lower abdomen and center of the navel, moxibustion can also be applied to some distal points on the limbs of children, such as the Zusanli and Shangjuxu points on the lower limbs, which can achieve a very good effect in stopping diarrhea.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What are the treatment methods for infectious diarrhea in children?

For infectious diarrhea in children, it is first important to determine if the cause is viral or bacterial. In general, rehydration should be provided first to prevent dehydration; oral rehydration salts are commonly used to prevent dehydration and replenish electrolytes. Additionally, probiotics can be given to regulate the gut flora, commonly including bifidobacteria. Another option is to administer smectite powder to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. It is also appropriate to supplement zinc and folic acid to promote the repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. If a bacterial infection is suspected, sensitive antibiotics can be administered, commonly cephalosporins or penicillins for anti-infection treatment. If a viral infection is considered to be causing the diarrhea, some antiviral medications can be added to the treatment. Pay attention to the baby’s mental response and urination situation.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Pediatric diarrhea bacterial infections are most commonly seen in what?

Pediatric diarrhea is a condition caused by various causes and factors, mainly characterized by an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and changes in stool characteristics. A portion of this condition is caused by bacterial infections, particularly in the summer when enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli gastroenteritis is a likely cause. In such cases, children may experience vomiting, persistent diarrhea, and severe dehydration. Additionally, if the child's stool contains mucus and pus, or is a pus-blood stool, it is generally considered to be caused by bacterial dysentery bacilli. If the stool is jam-like with more blood and less stool, amoebic dysentery should be considered. Other invasive bacterial infections, such as invasive E. coli gastroenteritis, jejunal Campylobacter gastroenteritis, or Salmonella gastroenteritis, are also common bacterial infections.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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What causes diarrhea and fever in children?

If a child has diarrhea accompanied by fever, it is generally considered to be infectious diarrhea, which includes both bacterial and viral infections. Common viral gastroenteritis is caused by rotavirus infection. Rotavirus infects the intestines, which can cause fever, vomiting, and diarrhea with frequent stooling, characterized by egg-flower or watery stools, and may also be accompanied by symptoms such as dry mouth and scanty urination. The treatment mainly focuses on fluid replenishment and symptomatic supportive care. There is also bacterial gastroenteritis, such as colitis caused by Escherichia coli infection and bacillary dysentery caused by Shigella infection, which can present with fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloody stools.