Moderate dehydration manifestations in children with diarrhea

Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
Updated on November 08, 2024
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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 Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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Can children with diarrhea drink milk?

When a child experiences diarrhea, it indicates an increase in the frequency of bowel movements and a change in the nature of the stools. The first principle of treating diarrhea is to continue feeding the child, so it is acceptable for children who drink cow's milk to continue doing so. However, if the diarrhea persists for a long time and the child develops lactose intolerance, it may be considered to switch to a diarrhea-specific formula, which is lactose-free, as this will be more beneficial for the child's recovery from diarrhea. Normally, it is possible to continue giving cow's milk, as the feeding must continue to ensure the child's adequate nutritional needs. Otherwise, fasting the child and providing nothing to eat, coupled with diarrhea, can quickly lead to dehydration, acidosis, and electrolyte imbalances.

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Written by Yan Xin Liang
Pediatrics
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Can children with diarrhea eat sugar?

For children with diarrhea, it is best to stick to a light, easily digestible diet. During diarrhea, a child's gastrointestinal function may decline, leading to indigestion or gastrointestinal disorders. In such cases, one must consume foods that are easy to digest, avoiding greasy, spicy, stimulative, and hard-to-digest foods. Meanwhile, sugar should also be largely avoided, as many instances of diarrhea in children are caused by lactose intolerance. Adding sugar under these circumstances can exacerbate the symptoms of diarrhea. Furthermore, some cases of diarrhea in children may lead to temporary lactose intolerance. In such situations, sugar should not be added as well. Thus, when dealing with diarrhea, it is advisable to refrain from consuming sugar.

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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.

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Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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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.

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Written by Yao Li Qin
Pediatrics
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There are several types of childhood diarrhea.

If there is a change in frequency and characteristics of a child’s stool compared to usual, it could indicate the occurrence of diarrhea. Diarrhea can be classified into: 1. Acute diarrhea, which lasts for up to two weeks. 2. Persistent diarrhea, lasting between two weeks and two months. 3. Chronic diarrhea, lasting for more than two months. Based on the severity, it can be divided into: 1. Mild, generally without dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or acid-base imbalances. 2. Moderate, accompanied by mild to moderate dehydration, or mild electrolyte disturbance. More severe cases involve severe dehydration and obvious symptoms of acid-base imbalance. Symptoms in children include lethargy, irritability, drowsiness, pale complexion, no fever, and a significant increase in white blood cell count. Causes of diarrhea can be divided into: infectious diarrhea, caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc., and non-infectious diarrhea, including foodborne diarrhea, symptomatic diarrhea, allergic diarrhea, and other types of diarrhea.