Guidelines for monitoring patients with acute diarrhea at home

This is an automatically translated article.

Posted by Doctor Bui Thu Huong - Head of Emergency Department, Day Treatment - Pediatric Center - Vinmec Times City International Hospital

Acute diarrhea is a condition in which a child has loose or watery stools more than 3 times/24 hours and lasts no more than 14 days. With proper monitoring and treatment, children with acute diarrhea can be treated at home.

1. Factors causing acute diarrhea in children

Acute diarrhea in children can occur due to the following reasons:
Age: 80% of children with diarrhea are under 2 years old, the highest age is from 6-18 months. Children suffering from some diseases that reduce immunity such as: Malnutrition, after measles, HIV/AIDS... Habits that increase the risk of acute diarrhea: Breastfeeding or not breastfeeding for 4-6 months head; Weaning too early; Contaminated food; Contaminated or uncooked drinking water; Do not wash your hands before eating Season: In the summer, diarrhea is caused by bacterial infections, and in the winter, diarrhea is often caused by Rotavirus.

2. Guidelines for monitoring patients with acute diarrhea at home

In case a child has mild to moderate acute diarrhea, parents can monitor and care for the child at home. Care measures to help children recover quickly and avoid dangerous complications such as dehydration, exhaustion... include:
Electrolyte compensation:
Children may become dehydrated due to acute diarrhea, so parents Need to replenish water and electrolytes for children by adding filtered water, fruit juice, electrolyte solution to supplement salt, potassium and other electrolytes.

The dose of Oresol electrolyte solution to be provided for home use according to the age of the child with acute diarrhea is as follows:
Children under 24 months old: 500ml/day Children from 2 years old to 10 years old: 1000ml/day Children from 10 years old and above: 2000ml/day.

Nutritional supplements
Children with acute diarrhea need a variety of nutritional supplements to avoid health deterioration. The foods that should be added to the children's menu include: Bananas, white rice, bread, potatoes, skinless chicken, yogurt, peanut butter... Children who are breastfed are encouraged to breastfeed.
Some foods should be avoided when children have acute diarrhea including: greasy foods, raw vegetables, spicy foods, drinks containing coffee, soda, cabbage...
Besides, Probiotics Probiotics are microorganisms that are beneficial for a child's digestive system, supporting the functioning of the intestines and helping to fight infections. Probiotics are found in yogurt and other fermented foods.

When should I bring my child to the hospital right away?

Need to take the child to the hospital as soon as he has the following symptoms:
The child has frequent bowel movements, more watery stools. Much thirst. Fever or higher fever. Bloody nose stools. Vomits everything The child refuses to eat...

4. Prevention of acute diarrhea in children

Acute diarrhea greatly affects the health and life of children, to prevent acute diarrhea in children, parents can apply measures such as: Breastfeeding; Specific vaccination against diarrhea with vaccines: Rotavirus, cholera, typhoid...; Use clean water for sanitation and eating; Practice food safety and hygiene when processing or preserving food; Wash your hands often when caring for children; Using hygienic latrines...

Vaccinations Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent diarrhea to protect children's health. Currently, Vinmec International General Hospital provides a variety of vaccines for children, including the vaccine against acute diarrhea for rotavirus. To book an appointment for your baby's examination and vaccination at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact HERE or contact hotline 0243 9743 556 for support.
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Prevention and treatment of acute diarrhea in young children Risk of dehydration shock in children due to acute diarrhea Common complications and common mistakes about acute diarrhea