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What Causes Severe Diarrhea And Vomiting In A Child?

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Posted on Mon, 17 Apr 2017
Question: Hello sir my baby is of 50 days and he is suffering from losse motion and vomiting i have done the tool test and occult blood and reducing substance is postive can u help me pls what is relly means Should i stop my milk
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Could be due to gastroenteritis

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that your child has an episode of gastroenteritis. Let me mention that for a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. The green colour occurs due to rapid transit through large intestine where the bile pigments do not get adequate time to convert to the yellow colour of stool. It is OK for some mucus to be there in the stool.

In any case, you need to give your child some antiemetic like ondansetron as and when needed, especially before feeds (15 min-30 min prior to feeds). The mainstay of treatment is breast milk and ORS (oral rehydration solution). Breast milk is superior to ORS and should therefore be preferred if adequately available. Unless the lost salts and fluids are replenished the child would become dehydrated. The urine output needs to be monitored. If the frequency comes down it indicates dehydration and calls for additional supplementation of fluids. But if the child becomes lethargic you would need to take the child to a hospital without delay.

Even though there is reducing substance in the stool, I would not worry and would insist you to continue to breast feed. This is not an indication to stop breast milk.

I would insist you to upload the stool report. I want to know the pus cell count. If it is raised, treatment with antibiotics would be needed.

You need to be patient. The vomiting and loose stools may persist for a couple of days before it resolves.

Give zinc supplements like ZnD Drops 1 ml once daily for the next 10 days. You need not worry. It should gradually return back to normal.
Please be patient. It may take a few days for the situation to return to normal. Feel free to write back.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Diptanshu Das (1 hour later)
Hi, I have provided some attachments. Please review them.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Diptanshu Das (39 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Not a cause for concern.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for uploading the report. I have checked it. There is no reason to grow concerned. No intervention suggested. Just continue breast feeding.

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Diptanshu Das

Pediatrician

Practicing since :2005

Answered : 3877 Questions

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What Causes Severe Diarrhea And Vomiting In A Child?

Brief Answer: Could be due to gastroenteritis Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. It seems that your child has an episode of gastroenteritis. Let me mention that for a baby of this age, it is normal to pass stool several times a day or even after each feed. Alternatively the child may pass stool once in 10 days and that is normal too. It is also normal to pass green stool or a combination of yellow stool. The green colour occurs due to rapid transit through large intestine where the bile pigments do not get adequate time to convert to the yellow colour of stool. It is OK for some mucus to be there in the stool. In any case, you need to give your child some antiemetic like ondansetron as and when needed, especially before feeds (15 min-30 min prior to feeds). The mainstay of treatment is breast milk and ORS (oral rehydration solution). Breast milk is superior to ORS and should therefore be preferred if adequately available. Unless the lost salts and fluids are replenished the child would become dehydrated. The urine output needs to be monitored. If the frequency comes down it indicates dehydration and calls for additional supplementation of fluids. But if the child becomes lethargic you would need to take the child to a hospital without delay. Even though there is reducing substance in the stool, I would not worry and would insist you to continue to breast feed. This is not an indication to stop breast milk. I would insist you to upload the stool report. I want to know the pus cell count. If it is raised, treatment with antibiotics would be needed. You need to be patient. The vomiting and loose stools may persist for a couple of days before it resolves. Give zinc supplements like ZnD Drops 1 ml once daily for the next 10 days. You need not worry. It should gradually return back to normal. Please be patient. It may take a few days for the situation to return to normal. Feel free to write back. Regards