What are the common causes of diarrhea in children?

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

Updated on January 12, 2025

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Some common causes of childhood diarrhea include infectious and non-infectious diarrhea. Causes of infectious diarrhea include bacteria, viruses, amoebic dysentery, etc. Common viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus, etc. Common bacterial infections include Escherichia coli, Shigella, and other bacteria. Additionally, intestinal amoebic pathogens can also cause diarrhea. Some causes of non-infectious diarrhea include lactose intolerance and food allergies, among others.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min

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What should children with diarrhea not eat?

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

1min 2sec

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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 Feng Hai Tao

Pediatrics

1min 11sec

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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 Dong Xian Yan

Pediatrics

44sec

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What should I do if a child suffers from food retention, vomiting, and diarrhea?

When children experience vomiting and diarrhea due to food stagnation, it is best to take them to the hospital for treatment. Through traditional Chinese medicine's syndrome differentiation and corresponding medicinal treatments, one can orally administer ready-made Chinese medicines that eliminate food stagnation. At the same time, probiotics can be taken orally to regulate the intestines. In terms of diet, it is advisable to focus on light, easily digestible, and nutritious foods. Avoid greasy, fried foods, seafood, and spicy or irritating foods. It is beneficial to eat small, frequent meals, avoid strenuous activities, and keep the child's abdomen warm to prevent catching cold.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai

Traditional Chinese Medicine

54sec

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Where to massage for children's diarrhea

If a child's diarrhea is not severe, it can be alleviated by massage to ease this clinical symptom. Where do we usually massage? First, local abdominal massage can be performed using kneading and rolling techniques, commonly targeting acupoints like Zhongwan, Xiawan, Jianli, and Tianshu. These are some of the acupoints on the abdomen. On the distal parts of the limbs, we can also select some acupoints for massage, especially Liangqiu, Zusanli, Shangjuxu, and Xiajuxu, which are excellent for regulating childhood diarrhea. Additionally, massaging the child's Yongquan acupoint can also relieve symptoms of diarrhea. During the massage, it's essential to combine it with a diet that is bland and easy to digest to enhance the effectiveness.