Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
  • A-Z Health Reference
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Diarrhoea

 
Diarrhoea is relatively common in young children and usually passes after a day or two.

When to see the doctor

It is always wise to consult your doctor if your child has diarrhoea, especially if the child is under three months old.

What is the cause?

There are numerous possible causes of diarrhoea, including food poisoning, but by far the most common in children is a viral infection, such as in gastroenteritis (sometimes called ‘gastro’). Like vomiting, diarrhoea can accompany many infections, both bacterial and viral. Less commonly, it may be a signpost to more serious illness such as appendicitis.

Chronic or persistent diarrhoea commonly follows a bout of gastroenteritis, in which case the persistence of the diarrhoea may be due to lactose intolerance. The lining of the wall of the bowel is (temporarily) damaged during the bout of gastro, so that it cannot absorb complex sugars (including lactose). Lactose is a component of milk and causes a watery, often sweet smelling diarrhoea which may burn the child’s bottom. The treatment is a lactose-free milk (unless the child is still breastfed) until the diarrhoea improves. The condition usually resolves itself within a few weeks as the lining of the bowel wall heals.

Other causes of chronic diarrhoea include Giardia, coeliac disease, and other less common conditions. Some toddlers with chronic diarrhoea may be drinking too much fruit juice. In many toddlers, no cause for the diarrhoea is found (toddler’s diarrhoea).

What are the symptoms?

Diarrhoea is defined as the passage of large, loose, frequent or watery bowel movements. The colour may vary from brown to green, and the smell can be offensive. The most serious problem associated with diarrhoea is the possibility of it leading to dehydration.

Is there a test?

If the diarrhoea is due to a specific virus, germ or parasite, stool specimens may reveal which organism is responsible.

How is it treated?

The most important thing to remember about treating diarrhoea is to make sure that your child has enough to drink. The best fluid to use is an oral rehydration fluid such as Gastrolyte. This can be bought over the counter from the chemist. Make sure that you make up the liquid carefully according to the instructions on the packet.

If Gastrolyte is not available, then diluted lemonade or fruit juice can be used. You should use one part of lemonade or juice to four parts of water. An alternative is to mix one level teaspoon of sugar in 120 ml of water. Full-strength lemonade or fruit juice may make the diarrhoea worse and can be harmful.

If you have a young baby who is breastfed, you should continue to breastfeed but offer extra oral rehydration fluid between feeds. For babies who are bottle-fed, oral rehydration fluid should only be given for the first 24 hours and then full-strength milk reintroduced, but with extra oral rehydration fluids given between feeds.

Food can generally be given after one to two days treatment with oral rehydration fluid, especially if your child is hungry. It is generally best to start with bland foods such as plain biscuits, bread, rice, potato or jelly. Other foods can be added gradually.