Question
An infant of 15 days old is experiencing diarrhea symptoms with egg-like stools. How should the parents handle this situation?
Answer
For a 15-day-old infant with diarrhea, it is first important to consider the possibility of rotavirus infection. At this point, it is crucial to promptly replenish fluids to prevent dehydration, as the illness typically lasts for 3 to 8 days. The causes of diarrhea may include gastrointestinal malabsorption, improper diet, or catching a cold. For breastfed infants, the mother should be cautious about her diet, avoiding cold and irritating foods, and maintaining regular eating habits. She should adopt a strategy of eating small meals more frequently. It is also important to keep the baby’s abdomen warm and to perform abdominal massage appropriately to alleviate symptoms.