June 03, 2008

Health Tip: Diarrhea in Children

(HealthDay News) -- Children develop diarrhea for a variety of reasons.

There isn't any specific diet that is recommended for all cases of diarrhea, but bland foods generally work better. A full appetite usually is a good indication that a child has recovered from an illness, the U.S. National Library of Medicine says.

The agency offers this list of some common causes of diarrhea in children:

• Taking antibiotics.
• Eating too much fruit or drinking too much fruit juice.
• A sensitivity to a particular food.
• An illness or infection.

You should contact a doctor as soon as possible if:

• Diarrhea contains blood or mucous.
• Diarrhea develops just after travel abroad or a camping trip.
• Diarrhea is accompanied by repeated vomiting, fever or abdominal cramps.
• Diarrhea is severe, or lasts longer than two days.
• Diarrhea goes away and then returns, or the child is losing weight
• Diarrhea appears to be causing dehydration.

-- Diana Kohnle

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