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Suggest Treatment For Loose Stool In A Child

Posted on Mon, 6 Apr 2015

Question: Hi,
I have a 5 years 11 month old son, weighs around 27 KG. Since yesterday afternoon, he has started loose motion, mostly watery stools. In 5 hours he had 3 times. Then after overnight this was OK. Today morning he had once same watery motions. Yesterday we meet our ped doc for this and he advised Oflox 100 rediuse. Somehow after googling I realized Oflox 100 may not be so suitable for loose motions. We have been providing him ORS solution and liquid diets. My questions:
1. Shall we go ahead with Oflox 100 or some other medicine is suggested
2. Is it really necessary at this moment to go with antibiotics or we shall wait
3. Can some probiotic may be useful

Thanks XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (52 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Antibiotics not essential. Prebiotics helpful.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through the details provided by you. In most cases, loose motions in children is caused due to a virus called rotavirus where antibiotics are ineffective. You need give ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) or Diaralyte to replenish the lost water and salts as the mainstay of treatment. It is not supposed to bring down the frequency of passage of loose stools. But unless the child grows lethargic, I would not get concerned. It may still take 3-7 days (from the onset) to stop.

In spite of previous concerns with ofloxacin, it is now frequently used and no complications are reported. So you need not worry about it. But unless associated with bloody diarrhoea, antibiotics are not essential and hence you can skip it altogether.

You may give zinc supplementation with Zinconia Syr 5ml twice daily for 5 days. It will help in the intestinal healing as the diarrhoea causes some damage to the inner wall of the intestines.

You may also give plenty of curd or yogurt. It contains plenty of beneficial bacteria as does bifilac, a prebiotic/probiotic.
It is likely to be helpful.

Hope that helps.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Hi,

Thanks for your reply. We did not start Oflox and that seems to be good for now.

Regarding Rotavirus, son has been vaccinated for it on time even then can it impact?

I started bifilac 5 ML since this morning.

Thanks a lot for your reply. I will update you on progress tomorrow morning.

Regards XXXXXXX XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Various other viruses could also give rise to same presentation.

Detailed Answer:
Glad to know that you found my answer helpful.

Even if it is not rotavirus, there are various other viruses like enterovirus which could give rise to similar presentations.

Wish you all the best,

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (29 hours later)

Thanks...kid is doing well. After yesterday morning no more watery stool. Seems settling.

Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Glad to know that the child is better now

Detailed Answer:
I am glad to know that it helped.

In case you found my answer to be helpful, please close the thread with a positive review and a 5 star rating.

Regards
Dr. Diptanshu Das

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar