Medical Encyclopedia

 

Medical Encyclopedia

Other encyclopedia topics:  A-Ag  Ah-Ap  Aq-Az  B-Bk  Bl-Bz  C-Cg  Ch-Co  Cp-Cz  D-Di  Dj-Dz  E-Ep  Eq-Ez  F  G  H-Hf  Hg-Hz  I-In  Io-Iz  J  K  L-Ln  Lo-Lz  M-Mf  Mg-Mz  N  O  P-Pl  Pm-Pz  Q  R  S-Sh  Si-Sp  Sq-Sz  T-Tn  To-Tz  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  0-9 

Babies and diarrhea

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Diapers and diarrhea
Diapers and diarrhea

Alternative Names    Return to top

Diarrhea and babies

Information    Return to top

Most diarrhea in children is short-lived, caused by a virus, and goes away on its own. Infants and young children (under age 3) can dehydrate quickly, so they should be watched very carefully. Call your pediatrician if:

Make sure the child gets plenty of liquids. Often, your pediatrician will recommend fluids that contain electrolytes. Follow the doctor's instructions. If you are nursing, the doctor will probably recommend that you continue nursing, possibly in addition to giving the child extra fluids.

See also: Diet for diarrhea

Talk to your pediatrician right away if there are signs of dehydration. If the infant develops signs of moderate or severe dehydration, he or she should be seen at once.

Signs of mild dehydration:

Signs of moderate dehydration:

Signs of severe dehydration:

Update Date: 10/23/2007

Updated by: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M. Logo

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.