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What Could Cause Frequent Defecation In An 8-year-old?

Posted on Fri, 4 Oct 2019

Question: Dear Doctor,
My son XXXXXXX XXXXXXX ( Male, 8 years old, weight - 45 kg ) is having diarrhea type problem. Today he went to latrine 4 times from 2 pm onwards. The stool is semi liquid.
Please note that now he is normal and active. And taking normal food. No stomach pain.

Nearly 4 to 5 days ago, we had observed similar problem, so we had given one Sporilac tablet. And he was fine.
Please suggest the medicine with dosage. And please advice regarding food. His weight is 45 kg ( 8 years old boy ). Thanks.

Kind regards,
XXXX
Ph.: 0000

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Looks like viral diarrhea - suggestions given

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

It seems your kid is having viral diarrhea. Once it starts it will take 5-7 days to completely get better.

Unless the kid's having low urine output or very dull or excessively sleepy or blood in motion or green bilious vomiting...you need not worry.

There is no need to use antibiotics unless there is blood in the motion. Antibiotics might worsen if unnecessarily used causing antibiotic associated diarrhea.

I suggest you use zinc supplements (Z&D drops 1ml once daily for 14 days) & ORS (Each small packet mixed in 200ml of potable water and keep giving sip by sip) as hydration is very important and crucial part of treatment. If there is vomiting you can use Syrup Ondansetron (as prescribed by your pediatrician).

Regarding diet - Avoid fruit juices as they might aggravate diarrhea. You can give zinc supplements & ORS apart from normal vegetarian porridges & soups.

Hope my answer was helpful for you. I am happy to help any time. Further clarifications and consultations on Health care magic are welcome. If you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish your kid good health.

Regards - Dr. Sumanth MBBS., DCH., DNB (Paed).,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 hours later)

Thanks for your valuable suggestion.
1. We have Zinconia Syrup. Please suggest the dosage if it is suitable. My son is 8 years old and weight is 45 kgs.

2. He is also having mouth ulcer. We had observed mouth ulcer problem nearly 2 months before and now the same problem is repeated. Please suggest the medicine with dosage. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (9 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Suggested medicines

Detailed Answer:
HI...You can give him Syrup Zinconia 5ml once a day for 14 days
For mouth ulcer - Zytee gel for local application on the mouth ulcer 15 minutes before food 3 times a day for 5 days.
You can also give a multivitamin preparation like Syrup Polybion-L 5ml twice a day for 30 days.
I wish your kid a speedy recovery. If you need any future medical consultation and suggestions, I will be glad to help. You can approach me at the following link.
Once the page opens there will be an option below my image as – ASK ME A QUESTION – click on it.
In this way even in health care magic you can follow up always with a single doctor who knows the history of your kid completely. Please find the link below -

www.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-sumanth-amperayani/67696

Kind regards - Dr Sumanth Amperayani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (2 days later)

Dear Doctor,

Please note that there is no such improvements until now. My son is going to latrine 3 - 4 times per day. sometime the stool is normal and sometime it is semi-liquid. There is pain in stomach ( stay nearly 3-4 minutes ) once or twice per day. He is taking normal food.

We are giving medicine as advised by you and also one Sporilac DS tablet per day.

Please suggest whether we need to add any medicine to control the diarrhea. My son is 8 years old and weight is 45 kg.

We are worried as because he had major diarrhea problem at age 3. Thanks.

Kind regards,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Sumanth Amperayani (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions on diarrhea

Detailed Answer:

Hi.

Unless the kid's having low urine output or very dull or excessively sleepy or blood in motion or green bilious vomiting...you need not worry.
If the urine out put is good - then you need not worry about the number times of diarrhea.
Diarrhea once starts like this - may stay for 7-14 days.
You need to worry only if the diarrhea is for more than 14 days.

Best regards
Dr Sumanth Amperayani

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