Question
My five-month-old boy, who is mainly breastfed with occasional formula, has recently developed diarrhea. Sometimes it’s sticky, sometimes black, sometimes green, and occasionally it’s accompanied by streaks of blood. I suspect it’s related to the fish in my diet, as symptoms disappear when I don’t eat it, but I’m worried about my child’s nutrition. How should I handle this?
Answer
Hello: (1) Diet Therapy Proper nutrition during diarrhea is crucial for promoting recovery, reducing weight loss and growth delay, shortening recovery time, and preventing malnutrition. After diarrhea stops, continue to provide nutritious food and add an extra meal daily for two weeks to help the child regain normal growth. For children with malnutrition or chronic diarrhea, the recovery period may be longer until complete recovery. (2) Care For infectious diarrhea, attention should be paid to disinfection and isolation. Monitor vomiting, defecation, and urination. Provide fluids or oral salt solution promptly and determine the rate of intravenous fluid administration. Strengthen eye care to prevent aspiration. Frequently turn the child to prevent pneumonia. (3) Infection Control Viral enteritis mainly relies on diet therapy and supportive care and usually does not require antibiotics. Acute enteritis caused by non-invasive bacteria can often heal on its own and only requires supportive care. However, for newborns, infants, fragile children, and severe patients, antibiotics may still be necessary. Invasive bacterial enteritis usually requires antibiotic treatment.
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