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Diarrhoea is a common problem in children

Diarrhoea is characterised by:

• Having more frequent and watery stools.
  (Children less than 12 months old)
• Having loose or watery stools three or more times a day.
  (Children more than 12 months old)

The common causes of diarrhoea are:

• Infections by bacteria, viruses or parasites
• Illnesses such as intestinal or bowel disorders
• Intolerance to cow's milk
• Food intolerance eg. excessive intake of fruit juices
• Reaction to medication such as antibiotics and antacids

Diarrhoea may lead to dehydration, which means the body lacks enough fluid to function properly.

When suffering from diarrhoea, your child's intestinal lining may lose some important enzymes responsible for breaking down carbohydrates. Common cow's milk formulas may not be well-tolerated and may aggravate the diarrhoea further. This could result in excessive loss of fluid. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in children as it can lead to serious health complications.

Recommended tips to treat diarrhoea and prevent dehydration

Give your child plenty of fluid to drink

This helps to avoid dehydration, even if your child vomits or feels sick, it is important to continue to give frequent sips of fluid as some of it can still be absorbed.

Use an Oral Electrolyte Solution such as Pedialyte to replenish lost minerals and fluids

An oral electrolyte solution provides an optimal balance of water salt and sugar. It helps to quickly replace fluid and electrolytes lost from your child's body during diarrhoea. Oral electrolyte solutions do not stop the diarrhoea but are recommended to prevent dehydration. (Do not use home-made salt solutions as the quantity of salt may be excessive. Also avoid sports drinks and highly sweetened drinks.)

Let your child eat as normally as possible

Your child needs constant nutrition even during diarrhoea. Continue to serve your child food, in smaller portions if necessary. Increase starchy foods such as bread, pasta, cereal, rice or mashed potatoes. If your child's current cow's milk is not well–tolerated, you may want to temporarily replace it with a soy-based milk such as Isomil 2 Advance Soy Protein Follow–On formula.

Be careful about giving medicines to your child to stop diarrhoea

Anti-diarrhoea medications appear to be attractive remedies but may not be suitable for very young children. Please seek medical advice before giving your child any medications.

Call the doctor if you see your child with any of the following symptoms:

• Blood in stool
• Vomiting
• More frequent or more severe diarrhoea
• Fever
• If there is no improvement in 24 to 48 hours.
• Severe stomach pain

Signs of Dehydration

• Decreased urine production
• No tears when crying
• Dry tongue or mouth
• Sunken eyes
• Sunken soft spot on fontanelle (top of head)
• Dark skin around eyes
• Less active than usual

Diarrhoea Management Solutions

Isomil 2 Advance Soy Protein Follow–On Formula Now with the system of nutrients: Omega 3 & 6, AA & DHA – Building blocks of brain and eye development Iron and Taurine – To support overall mental development Choline – To support overall mental functioning For children above 6 months. The ONLY soy-based formula that meets the nutrient needs of children above 6 months. Delivers growth bone development similar to milk-based formulars.1 Protein and added calcium within European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (ESPGAN) recommendations.2 DuoCarb Advantage: 3 times greater carbohydrate absorption for a child's needed energy, especially important during diarrhoea.3 FREE from Palm-Olein oil

Pedialyte Freezer Pops Oral Electrolyte Maintenance Solution For children from 1 year onwards. Quickly replaces fluid and electrolytes lost during diarrhoea and vomiting to help prevent dehydration. Use Pedialyte at the onset of diarrhoea or vomiting Available in Cherry, Grape, Blue Raspberry and Orange flavours.

References:

1. Lasekan JB et al: Growth of newborn, term infants fed soy formulas for one year. Clinical Pediatrics 1999;38:563-571.
2. ESPGAN committee on nutrition: Comments on the composition of 'soy protein' based infant & follow-up formulas, Acta Paediatr Scand 1990:79;1001-1005.
3. Kerzner B et al: Jejunal absorption of sucrose (S) and glucose oligomers (GO) in the absence of pancreatic amylase (PA), abstracted. Pediatr Res 1983;17;191A.

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