Health Tip: Diarrhea in Children

ByABC News
June 3, 2008, 10:52 AM

June 4 -- (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.