What can children eat when they have diarrhea?

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on February 24, 2025
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Childhood diarrhea is a manifestation of acute gastroenteritis. During this process, his digestive function will definitely be affected, so it is important to pay attention to diet. Provide light and easy-to-digest foods. If breastfeeding, the mother's diet should also include light and easy-to-digest foods. For babies fed with formula, we can use diarrhea-specific formula, and supplementary foods such as rice porridge and noodles can be added. Avoid greasy, spicy, and irritating foods. It is appropriate to add vegetables, but do not orally administer sugary foods, including sugars, biscuits, etc., as these are not suitable for the baby.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Why should zinc be supplemented for children with diarrhea?

Childhood diarrhea is a common gastrointestinal disease. After controlling the diarrhea in children, it is generally necessary to supplement with zinc for about ten days. During the diarrhea, the intestinal mucosa is damaged by pathogens. Zinc can promote the repair of the intestinal mucosa, while preventing the child from experiencing diarrhea again in the short term. Therefore, it is very important to supplement with zinc after childhood diarrhea. Additionally, while supplementing zinc, it is also very necessary to supplement other trace elements.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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What are some medicines for pediatric diarrhea?

Pediatric diarrhea primarily refers to changes in the frequency and characteristics of stool due to various causes. Active treatment is necessary for pediatric diarrhea, starting with infection control as the initial step in pharmacological treatment. If the diarrhea is confirmed to be caused by a bacterial infection, antibiotics should be used under the guidance of a hospital physician. Secondly, treatment of the intestinal microecosystem is essential, commonly involving the administration of probiotics to children to help restore the ecological balance of normal intestinal flora, inhibiting the colonization and invasion of various pathogens, thus treating the diarrhea. Additionally, intestinal mucosal protectants, such as commonly used smectite powder, can enhance the barrier functions of the intestine to prevent pathogenic microorganisms from attacking the intestine and intestinal mucosa. Another treatment is anti-secretory therapy, frequently using racemic cadozetrack, along with zinc supplementation. Zinc supplements should be given to children with acute diarrhea to promote the repair of intestinal mucosa and prevent future mucosal damage, which can lead to acute diarrhea.

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Written by Feng Hai Tao
Pediatrics
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Can children with diarrhea eat eggplants?

Children should not eat eggplants during diarrhea. First, because eggplants are cool in nature, consuming eggplants could lead to increased gastrointestinal burden on babies, facilitating diarrhea which further intensifies the gastrointestinal load and worsens the diarrhea. Second, eggplants can trigger allergies. Eating eggplants during such sensitive times can exacerbate gastrointestinal stress if an allergic reaction occurs, leading to more severe diarrhea. Third, eggplants are not easy to digest; eating them may hinder the recovery of gastrointestinal functions in babies and increase the burden, causing intensified diarrhea. Therefore, it is best for children with diarrhea to avoid eggplants and instead choose light, easily digestible foods. Avoid raw, cold, spicy, or allergy-triggering foods, keep children warm, and use appropriate treatments and rehydration measures to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Pediatric diarrhea is divided into two main categories.

Childhood diarrhea can be divided into two major categories based on its causes: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious factors primarily include viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites, among which viral and bacterial infections are most common. Viral infections are mainly seen in rotavirus infections, while bacterial infections are predominantly associated with pathogenic, invasive, toxigenic, and hemorrhagic strains of Escherichia coli. Additionally, infections from other bacteria such as Campylobacter jejuni and Salmonella also occur. Intestinal infections can also cause diarrhea, such as those accompanying upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, etc., because the toxins released by the infecting agents during fevers or diarrhea associated with antibiotic treatments can induce diarrhea. Non-infectious causes mainly include dietary and climatic factors.

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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.