Patient's question:
The daughter is one year old and has had poor gastrointestinal health. At eight months, she only had one bowel movement a day, whereas before, she had several bowel movements daily. Just after turning one, she started experiencing autumnal diarrhea after weaning for half a month. Initially, she had vomiting and diarrhea, but later stopped vomiting and had severe diarrhea. She didn’t receive an IV, but was given oral rehydration solutions. After a week, her bowel movements returned to normal. A week later, she started vomiting again followed by diarrhea, with four to five episodes a day. She has been drinking a whole box of Smecta, but it’s unclear if there are any side effects from overconsumption. In the past two days, she has had one bowel movement a day, but it’s still not normal—it’s a formless, pasty consistency. We’re not daring to give her a normal diet yet, only feeding her with thin milk formula and a few pieces of biscuits. After each feeding, she always burps, and we’re always worried she might start vomiting again.Doctor's answer:
The child has diarrhea, which is more common in the current season, often seen as autumnal diarrhea or rotavirus enteritis. Symptoms may include fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. The stool may resemble egg drop soup, with more water and less feces. Currently, the child has not urinated for a day, which is likely due to intestinal inflammation dehydration. It is necessary to seek medical attention promptly.You can visit the pediatric department of the hospital. Based on the dehydration condition, reasonable intravenous fluid therapy should be administered to replenish electrolytes and correct dehydration. Additionally, a stool test should be performed promptly to confirm the diagnosis. Intravenous fluid therapy is not only for stopping diarrhea but also for improving the child's condition. If the child's spirits improve and symptoms subside, probiotics and anti-diarrheal medications such as lactobacillus and montmorillonite can be added. Drink plenty of water, keep the abdomen warm, and wish the baby a healthy growth!