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How Can Severe Loose Stools In A Child Be Treated?

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Posted on Wed, 20 Sep 2017
Question: Hello doctor , my 6 month old son is having loose stools for last 3 days. Today he passed loose stools 3 times . Poop is in dark green color and he passed very little poop twice. I'm giving raagi, rice and cerelac . Can I give him befilac .
Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (42 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Give him Bifilac and zinc

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thanks for asking on this platform

The loose stool in this age can be due to the reaction to any new cereal or food which you have introduced recently or due to some viral infection.
I won't get worried if baby is otherwise active accepting feeds well, passing urine and there is no frequent vomiting or associated abdominal distension.
Green color of stool is due to increased intestinal motility and rapid passage of stool. Due to decreased stay in intestine the stool does not get its normal yellow color due to failure of conversion of bilirubinogen(green) to stercobilinogen(yellow pigment).
If you have introduced any new cereal and if you think that has caused this, it is better to hold that for few days and then reintroduce later on.
Giving probiotic(bifilac) helps in maintaining healthy gut flora. Zinc helps in early recovery. The dose of zinc in this age is 20 mg/day.
Give him frequent feeds and if stool is very frequent and watery then ORS needs to be given to avoid dehydration.
Avoid giving cow milk.
If you notice decrease in frequency of urine, poor activity, vomiting, too frequent watery stool, vomiting, blood in stool or any redness in anal area please consult your pediatrician.
I hope this helps.
Please let me know if you have any more questions.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (23 minutes later)
Thanks for the reply Doctor. How long can I give befilac and how many times a day .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Give once a day for 5 days

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for follow up

Usually probiotics(bifilac) need to be given for 5 days and for this age one XXXXXXX once a day is sufficient.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (11 hours later)
Can I give potato and raagi to my baby. How can I add zinc to my baby. Which zinc drops should I give for early recovery?Can I give zincovit.?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (33 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Zincovit contains very less amount of zinc

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Zincovit is basically a multivitamin/multiminerals drop and contains very less amount of zinc that is 3 mg per ml.
In loose stool, zinc helps in early recovery by maintaining the integrity of gut wall and the dose is 20 mg per day for 14 days for children more than 6 months old.
You can give Ragi and potato along with other home based food. Avoid cow milk as it may increase the frequency.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2073 Questions

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How Can Severe Loose Stools In A Child Be Treated?

Brief Answer: Give him Bifilac and zinc Detailed Answer: Hi Thanks for asking on this platform The loose stool in this age can be due to the reaction to any new cereal or food which you have introduced recently or due to some viral infection. I won't get worried if baby is otherwise active accepting feeds well, passing urine and there is no frequent vomiting or associated abdominal distension. Green color of stool is due to increased intestinal motility and rapid passage of stool. Due to decreased stay in intestine the stool does not get its normal yellow color due to failure of conversion of bilirubinogen(green) to stercobilinogen(yellow pigment). If you have introduced any new cereal and if you think that has caused this, it is better to hold that for few days and then reintroduce later on. Giving probiotic(bifilac) helps in maintaining healthy gut flora. Zinc helps in early recovery. The dose of zinc in this age is 20 mg/day. Give him frequent feeds and if stool is very frequent and watery then ORS needs to be given to avoid dehydration. Avoid giving cow milk. If you notice decrease in frequency of urine, poor activity, vomiting, too frequent watery stool, vomiting, blood in stool or any redness in anal area please consult your pediatrician. I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any more questions. Regards