Medical CareIn 2003 the Center for Disease Control (CDC) put forth recommendations for the management of acute pediatric diarrhea in both the outpatient and inpatient settings including indication for referral. [1] Show Indications for medical evaluation of children with acute diarrhea include the following:
The report also includes information on assessment of dehydration and what steps should be taken to adequately treat acute diarrhea. Treatment of dehydration due to diarrhea includes the following:
ORT is the cornerstone of treatment, especially for small-bowel infections that produce a large volume of watery stool output. ORT with a glucose-based oral rehydration syndrome must be viewed as by far the safest, most physiologic, and most effective way to provide rehydration and maintain hydration in children with acute diarrhea worldwide, as recommended by the WHO; by the ad hoc committee of European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN); and by the American Academy of Pediatrics. [11] However, the global use of ORT is still insufficient. Developed countries, in particular the United States, seem to be lagging behind despite studies that demonstrate beyond doubt the efficacy of ORT in emergency care settings, in which intravenous rehydration unduly continues to be widely privileged. Not all commercial ORT formulas promote optimal absorption of electrolytes, water, and nutrients. The ideal solution has a low osmolarity (210-250) and a sodium content of 50-60 mmol/L. Administer maintenance fluids plus replacement of losses. Educate caregivers in methods necessary to replace this amount of fluid. Administer small amounts of fluid at frequent intervals to minimize discomfort and vomiting. A 5-mL or 10-mL syringe without a needle is a very useful tool. The syringe can be quickly used to place small amounts of fluid in the mouth of a child who is uncooperative. Once the child becomes better hydrated, cooperation improves enough to take small sips from a cup. This method is time intensive and requires a dedicated caregiver. Encouragement from the physician is necessary to promote compliance. Oral rehydration is now universally recommended to be completed within 4 hours. The addition of zinc to oral rehydration solution has been proven effective in children with acute diarrhea in developing countries and is recommended by the WHO. [12] However, no evidence suggests efficacy in children living in developed countries, in which the prevalence of zinc deficiency is assumed to be extremely low. The composition of almost all other beverages (carbonated or not) that are commercially available and frequently used in children with diarrhea is completely inadequate for rehydration or for maintaining hydration, considering the sodium content, which is invariably extremely low, and osmolarity that is often dangerously elevated. For instance, Coca-Cola, Pepsi-Cola, and apple juice have an osmolarity of 493, 576, and 694-773, respectively. However, research conducted in a community clinic in Nicaragua indicated that green tea and pomegranate extract combined with a standard oral rehydration solution help children with diarrhea improve faster. [13] Results showed the average time to achieve a Bristol Stool Scale (BSS) score of 4 or less was significantly shorter in the extract group than in the control group (3.1 vs 9.2 hours, respectively). In addition, a BSS score of 4 or less in the first bowel movement after treatment was achieved by more patients in the extract group than the control group (60% vs 29%, respectively). BSS scores in the extract group were maintained on day 2. [13] At completion of hydration, resumption of feeding is strongly recommended. In fact, many studies convincingly demonstrate that early refeeding hastens recovery. Also, robust evidence suggests that, in the vast majority of episodes of acute diarrhea, refeeding can be accomplished without the use of any special (eg, lactose-free or soy-based) formulas. Antimotility agents are not indicated for infectious diarrhea, except for refractory cases of Cryptosporidium infection. Antimicrobial therapy is indicated for some nonviral diarrhea because most is self-limiting and does not require therapy. Therapies recommended for some nonviral diarrheas include the following:
ConsultationsSee the list below:
DietBreastfed infants with acute diarrhea should be continued on breast milk without any need for interruption. In fact, breastfeeding not only has a well-known protective effect against the development of enteritis, it also promotes faster recovery and provides improved nutrition. This is even more important in developing countries, where withdrawal of breastfeeding during diarrhea has been shown to have a deleterious effect on the development of dehydration in infants with acute watery diarrhea.
Author Stefano Guandalini, MD Founder and Medical Director, Celiac Disease Center, Chief, Section of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Department of Pediatrics, University of Chicago Medical Center; Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Chicago Division of the Biological Sciences, The Pritzker School of Medicine Stefano Guandalini, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association, European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, North American Society for the Study of Celiac Disease Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Coauthor(s) Richard E Frye, MD, PhD Professor of Child Health, University of Arizona College of Medicine at Phoenix; Chief of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Director of Autism and Down Syndrome and Fragile X Programs, Division of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Department of Neurology, Barrow Neurological Institute at Phoenix Children's Hospital Richard E Frye, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Society Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. M Akram Tamer, MD Professor, Program Director, Department of Pediatrics, University of Miami, Leonard M Miller School of Medicine M Akram Tamer, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, Florida Medical Association Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Specialty Editor Board Mary L Windle, PharmD Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Chief Editor Carmen Cuffari, MD Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Gastroenterology/Nutrition, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Carmen Cuffari, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Gastroenterology, American Gastroenterological Association, North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada Disclosure: Received honoraria from Prometheus Laboratories for speaking and teaching; Received honoraria from Abbott Nutritionals for speaking and teaching. for: Abbott Nutritional, Abbvie, speakers' bureau. Additional Contributors Chris A Liacouras, MD Director of Pediatric Endoscopy, Division of Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia; Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine Chris A Liacouras, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Gastroenterological Association Disclosure: Nothing to disclose. Which is the first line of treatment for a five year old child who has acute diarrhea?World Health Organization (WHO) recommends treating diarrhea with oral rehydration therapy (ORT), fluids and foods. Proper management is hinged on accurate assessment of patients to identify the acute watery diarrhea.
What is the treatment of Diarrhoea in children?In most cases, treatment includes replacing lost fluids. Antibiotics may be prescribed when bacterial infections are the cause. Children should drink lots of fluids. This helps replace the lost body fluids.
How is diarrhea managed What is the mainstay in the management of diarrhea?Despite the wide range of organisms associated with gastrointestinal infections, the mainstay of the treatment of a person with acute watery diarrhea is appropriate fluid and electrolyte therapy and nutritional management, as outlined below.
What is acute diarrhea baby?Acute diarrhea (AD) is the most frequent gastroenterological disorder, and the main cause of dehydration in childhood. It is manifested by a sudden occurrence of three or more watery or loose stools per day lasting for seven to 10 days, 14 days at most.
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