Diarrhea: When to see a doctor?

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Thai Ngoc Chau - Neonatologist - Pediatrics - Neonatology Department - Vinmec Phu Quoc International General Hospital

Diarrhea is a common intestinal disease caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. A child is said to have diarrhea when they pass loose, watery stools three or more times in a day. Parents should take their children to the doctor when the child's symptoms show no signs of abating.

Diarrhea is one of the leading causes of death in young children - an average of 3 - 5 million children/year. Diarrhea can also cause malnutrition and infection, which is economically costly for many families. The most common causes of acute diarrhea in children are nutritional errors, gastroenteritis, generalized infections and a number of other causes, which vary by age.
Common: Children < 1 year old:
Nutritional mistake
Gastroenteritis
Generalized infection
Wrong antibiotic use
1 - 5 year old children:
Gastroenteritis
Food poisoning
Bacterial infection Overall
Incorrect antibiotic use
Children over 5 years old:
Gastroenteritis
Food poisoning
Wrong antibiotic use
Uncommon Children < 1 year old:
Toxic colitis in Hirschsprung disease
Disaccharidase deficiency
Genitourinary-adrenal syndrome
Children 1 - 5 years old:
Food poisoning
Children over 5 years old:
Hyperthyroidism

In general, children often feel tired, anorexia. Character of stool: Liquid, yellow or green, may be accompanied by sputum, blood or undigested food. Nausea or vomiting food Fever: May be mild or high fever, sometimes convulsions Abdominal pain, straining to pass stool Symptoms of dehydration: thirst, dry mouth, little urine, sunken eyes, no crying tears, sunken fontanelles in young children, skin pinch marks disappear slowly, lethargy.

When the child still has bowel movements due to diarrhea for more than 3 days Vomiting or having bowel movements many times a day Abdominal pain, a lot of fussing Symptoms of dehydration (dizziness, lightheadedness, palpitations, little urine, dry mouth, ...) Continuous high fever over 38.5 degrees Celsius Bloody stools Suspected cholera diarrhea

Rehydration: is the most important job. Types of rehydration solutions include orezol solution, sugar saline, salted porridge, salted coconut water. Let the child drink slowly, in small sips.
Diet: Continue breastfeeding if the baby is nursing. Limit eating vegetables, drinking soft drinks, orange juice. Food cooked for children needs to be cooked thoroughly, pureed, divided into several times a day.
Supportive drugs: Antipyretics, antibiotics, probiotics.
Ways to prevent diarrhea:
Children should not be fed too early, should only be given solid foods when the child is 4-5 months old, breastfed until 18-24 months old. Hygiene and cleanliness: Use clean water in eating and living, wash hands before eating, preparing food and after going to the toilet Practice eating and drinking boiling water (do not eat raw vegetables, drink cold water, do not eat rancid food, fresh seafood, fish salad, blood pudding). Clean latrines Limit the spread of pathogens by not dumping waste, washing, washing and patient's utensils into ponds, lakes, rivers, wells.