Diarrhea is a common disorder among children. According to one study1, the lack of handwashing facilities and correct practices, separate feeding materials for kids, and failure to breastfeed them were predictors of the occurrence of this condition.
However, in many instances, diarrhea in young children, particularly toddlers, is not an illness or medical issue. It can either be a symptom that does not pose any threat to their health or a serious undiagnosed disease or disorder.
Acute Vs. Recurrent Diarrhea in Toddlers
Toddlers can also experience acute and recurrent diarrhea. A good way to ensure you choose the right treatment and medicine for diarrhea in toddlers is to learn the differences between these two types of diarrheal disease.
Acute Diarrhea
Acute diarrhea is the abrupt onset of three or more loose stools per day that lasts one to two weeks.2
It can be caused by:
- Viral infection, such as rotavirus, which affects the intestines and is the most common cause of diarrhea
- Bacterial infection, such as salmonellosis, which is caused by salmonella
- Parasitic infection, such as giardiasis, a diarrheal disease caused by giardia
- Food poisoning, which is caused by toxins from germs in spoiled food
- Traveler’s diarrhea, caused by bacteria in food or drink consumed in other countries or places
- Antibiotics3
Recurrent Diarrhea
Chronic or recurrent diarrhea is diarrhea that lasts longer than four weeks.4 It can come and go or be continuous.
In most instances, recurrent diarrhea is a symptom of a non-threatening disease or disorder. However, it can also indicate a more serious underlying and undiagnosed condition.
Some common causes of chronic diarrhea are:5
- Lactose intolerance – The inability to digest lactose, a type of sugar found in milk and milk products, can cause recurrent diarrhea in children and adults.
- Chronic nonspecific diarrhea – Also known as toddler’s diarrhea, it is a condition wherein toddlers pass three to six loose bowels per day. This symptom usually disappears when the child turns three or four but can return or worsen when they drink too much fruit juice and sweetened carbohydrate beverages.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease or IBD – Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and other types of disorder can cause inflammation of the intestines and colon, which can lead to recurrent diarrhea.
- Celiac disease or gluten sensitivity – recurring diarrhea is a common symptom of this condition, together with poor weight gain, distended abdomen, and diminished energy.
Common Symptoms
Aside from the frequent movement of loose or watery bowels, symptoms of acute and chronic include the following:
- Cramping
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Blood in the stool
- Dehydration
Symptoms usually differ from one child to another.
Diagnosis of Acute and Recurrent Diarrhea
Toddlers with acute diarrhea do not often undergo any laboratory tests.6 However, doctors may require a stool culture to determine the cause of the illness, especially if the child is already dehydrated and has blood in their stools.
On the other hand, chronic diarrhea usually requires several tests, which can include the following:7
- Stool culture to identify the presence of bacteria, virus, or parasites
- Blood tests to check for signs of anemia, inflammation, and Celiac disease
- Hydrogen breath test to diagnose possible lactose intolerance
- Upper endoscopy to diagnose Celiac disease and determine which portion of the colon is involved with the inflammation
After the test results have been released and a thorough check-up has been done, your doctor will be able to provide the best treatment for your toddler’s diarrhea.
Treating Diarrhea in Toddlers
Below are three tips for treating acute and recurrent diarrhea in toddlers:
1. Keep your child hydrated.
Dehydration is the most worrisome symptom you have to look out for when your toddler has diarrhea.
Some signs that your child may be dehydrated due to diarrhea are:
- Reduced urine output. Check your toddler’s diaper regularly if they are still wearing one or monitor their bathroom trips. If they do not urinate more than once within eight hours, they are already dehydrated. Dark yellow urine is also a sign of dehydration.
- Dry lips, tongue, and inside of the mouth.
- Absence of tears when crying.
- Increased irritability, fussiness, sleepiness, and fatigue.
To keep your child hydrated, give them plenty of fluids, including water, broth or clear soup, or pediatric electrolyte solutions in liquid or Popsicle form.
Also, keep breastfeeding your child.9 If they are formula-fed, consult your doctor if you can continue feeding them their regular milk or if you have to make changes to their routine.
2. Continue giving your child a balanced diet.
If your toddler remains healthy, give them their regular, balanced diet. Add more potassium-rich foods, such as bananas and apples. Potassium can prevent them from getting dehydrated.
If your child has toddler’s diarrhea, decrease their intake of fruit juices and give them more food and fluids rich in dietary fat and fiber.10
3. Provide prescribed medication.
If the acute diarrhea is caused by bacteria or parasites, your medical specialist may prescribe antibiotics. Make sure your child takes them based on the prescription.
Probiotics can also help your child recover faster from diarrhea. These “good bacteria” fight the unhealthy bacteria or virus in the gastrointestinal tract and restore the balance of microorganisms in the gut flora.
Probiotics are also one of the safest medicines for diarrhea in Dubai for children. Ask your child’s doctor for their recommended product and brand.
Additional Care for Toddlers With Diarrhea
When your toddler or someone else in your family has diarrhea, everyone should always follow proper handwashing practices, particularly after changing the diaper and using the bathroom.
Also, ensure everyone washes their hands before eating, feeding, cooking, and handling young children.
Lastly, keep track of your child’s meals. Keep a food diary and take note of all the food you gave your toddler each day.
Jot down the times, frequency, and amount of your toddler’s bowel movements if they have diarrhea.
This record can help your child’s doctor determine the cause behind your child’s chronic diarrhea and provide the best treatment options.
When your toddlers have diarrhea, make sure you keep a close eye on them. Bring them to their doctor immediately if you notice they are not feeling better even after you have followed the treatment recommendation.
CITATIONS:
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Prevalence of diarrhea and associated factors among under-five children in Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia, 2016: a cross-sectional study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6518740/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- American College of Gastroenterology. Diarrheal Diseases – Acute and Chronic. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-acute-and-chronic/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. Prevalence and management of antibiotic associated diarrhea in general hospitals. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4403881/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- American College of Gastroenterology. Diarrheal Diseases – Acute and Chronic. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-acute-and-chronic/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- American College of Gastroenterology. Diarrheal Diseases – Acute and Chronic. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-acute-and-chronic/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- American College of Gastroenterology. Diarrhea in Children. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-in-children/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- American College of Gastroenterology. Diarrhea in Children. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-in-children/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- American College of Gastroenterology. Diarrhea in Children. https://gi.org/topics/diarrhea-in-children/. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- MSD Manuals. Diarrhea in Children. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/symptoms-in-infants-and-children/diarrhea-in-children. Last visited 8 Mar 2021
- MSD Manuals. Diarrhea in Children. https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/pediatrics/symptoms-in-infants-and-children/diarrhea-in-children. Last visited 8 Mar 2021