Iowa Health Book: Pediatrics

Diarrhea

Children tend to lose body fluids rapidly when they are ill. Please report back to us if your child shows signs of dehydration (loss of body fluids):

1. dry mouth or sunken eyes
2. no urine diaper for 4-5 hours in an infant, no urination in a child for 6-8 hours
3. listlessness, tiredness, irritability

1st 12 hours
Give 4 oz Pedialyte or Rehydrate every 1-2 hours.
AVOID HIGHLY SUGARY FRUIT JUICES (apple, grape juice).

12-24 hours
Give 1/2 strength milk-free formula (Prosobee, Isomil, Nursoy).
AVOID HIGHLY SUGARY FRUIT JUICES

24-36 hours
Give full strength milk-free formula (Prosobee, Isomil, Nursoy) then slowly resume regular feedings.
AVOID SUGARY FRUIT JUICES and cow's milk for one week.

Toddlers and Older Children

1st 12 hours
Give 2-4 oz Pedialyte, Rehydrate, or Gatorade every 1-2 hours.
AVOID HIGHLY SUGARY FRUIT JUICES (apple, grape juice).

by 24-36 hours
Small, frequent feeding of: Jello, soup, noodles, bananas, applesauce, rice cereal, pureed chicken, milk-free mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes. Then slowly resume regular feeding. AVOID SUGARY FRUIT JUICES and cow's milk for one week.

Stools

• Expect soft, but not watery stools for 5-7 days after diarrhea has begun.
• Please call us if stools are watery or forceful, or child has stomach pains.
• Please call us if stools are not returning to normal in 7 days.

All contents copyright © 1992-1997 the Author(s) and the University of Iowa. All rights reserved.
Last Modified: December 02, 1996