DIARRHEA( CHILDREN) 131
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS Your child’ s symptoms may be a side effect of the drug.
• Stop giving any overthe-counter medicines but continue to give prescribed medication unless advised to stop by your doctor.
How old is your child?
Was your baby given any of the following before the onset of diarrhea?
Unfamiliar foods
Sugary foods or sweetened drinks
Neither
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Foods that are new to your baby may cause digestive upsets.
• Withhold the food that seems to be causing the trouble for at least 1 week.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if your baby is no better in 24 hours or if he or she develops other symptoms.
Under 12 months
12 months to 3 years
Over 3 years
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Young children often fail to chew and digest food properly, which can lead to so-called“ toddler’ s diarrhea.”
• Follow the advice for preventing dehydration( p. 165).
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if symptoms persist or if your child develops other symptoms.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR It is possible that your child has a condition affecting the digestive tract, such as food intolerance or celiac disease( gluten allergy).
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS if you cannot identify a possible cause for your child’ s diarrhea from this chart.
Is your child experiencing unusual stress, anxiety, or excitement?
Stress or anxiety
Excitement
Neither
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS if you cannot identify a possible cause for your child’ s diarrhea from this chart.
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Sugar in food and drink can cause diarrhea in babies.
• Avoid giving your baby sweetened foods and drinks.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if your baby is no better in 24 hours or if he or she develops other symptoms.
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES Psychological stress or unusual excitement can cause diarrhea in children. The symptoms will normally stop as soon as the cause has disappeared.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if there is a long-term cause of anxiety in your child’ s life or if he or she develops other symptoms.