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Diarrhea - what to ask your doctor - child

Definition

Diarrhea is when your child has three or more very loose bowel movements in 1 day. For many children, diarrhea is mild and will pass within a few days. For others, it may last longer. It can make your child feel weak and dehydrated. It can also lead to unhealthy weight loss.

A stomach or intestinal illness is a common cause of diarrhea. It can also be a side effect of medical treatments, such as antibiotics and some cancer treatments. Many other medicines can also cause diarrhea.

Below are questions you may want to ask a health care provider if your child has diarrhea.

Questions

FOODS

• What foods can make my child's diarrhea worse? How should I prepare the foods for my child?

• If my child is still breastfeeding or bottle feeding, do I need to stop? Should I water down my child's formula?

• Can I feed my child milk, cheese, or yogurt? Can I give my child any dairy foods?

• What type of bread, crackers, or rice is best for my child?

• Can I feed my child any sweets? Is artificial sugar OK?

• Do I need to worry about my child getting enough salt and potassium?

• Which fruits and vegetables are best for my child? How should I prepare them?

• Are there foods my child can eat to prevent too much weight loss?

FLUIDS

• How much water or liquid should my child drink during the day? How can I tell when my child is not drinking enough?

• If my child will not drink, what are other ways to get my child enough fluids?

• Can my child drink anything with caffeine, such as coffee or tea?

• Can my child drink fruit juices or carbonated drinks?

MEDICINES

• Is it safe to give my child medicines from the store that may help slow the diarrhea down?

• Do any of the medicines, vitamins, herbs, or supplements my child is taking cause diarrhea?

• Are there medicines I should stop giving my child?

MEDICAL CARE

• Does having diarrhea mean my child has a more serious medical problem?

• When should I call the provider?

References

Easter JS. Pediatric gastrointestinal disorders and dehydration. In: Bakes KM, Buchanan JA, Moreira ME, Byyny R, Pons PT, eds. Emergency Medicine Secrets. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 65.

Kotloff KL. Acute gastroenteritis in children. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 366.

Schiller LR, Sellin JH. Diarrhea. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 16.

Review Date: 11/6/2023

Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.