Question
A parent asks, their 8-month-old baby has been suffering from diarrhea for the past 5 days, accompanied by thin, watery stools, sometimes resembling egg flower soup. The baby has already taken probiotics and attapulgite powder, but there has been no significant improvement. How should they handle the situation?
Answer
Doctors will inquire whether the parents have carefully examined the baby’s stool samples, as the causes of diarrhea may include viral infections, bacterial infections, or indigestion. If the diarrhea persists for a longer period, it is recommended to undergo a stool examination. At the same time, parents should pay attention to any signs of dehydration in the baby, particularly by observing the baby’s mental state and urine output. If the baby appears listless or there is a significant decrease in urine output, it is necessary to go to the hospital for a follow-up consultation. In terms of diet, it is suggested to adopt a low-fat, low-protein diet, but do not fast to avoid insufficient nutrient intake that could affect recovery. For breastfeeding mothers, it is advisable to avoid eating cold and raw foods. For treatment, attapulgite powder can be used to protect the intestinal mucosa, probiotics to adjust intestinal flora, Durasoo anti-diarrheato stop diarrhea, and zinc supplementation to repair the mucosa. If necessary, antibiotics will be added for treatment based on the results of the stool examination.