What should children with diarrhea eat and drink? 11 tips to help their gut recover quickly

Diarrhea in children is a very common condition in young children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), diarrhea remains one of the leading causes of dehydration, malnutrition, and death in children under 5 years old if not properly cared for. What worries many parents the most is that their child refuses to eat, drinks very little water, or vomits immediately after eating, leading to rapid fatigue and exhaustion.

Tiptory understands that when a child has diarrhea, many parents are concerned about what to feed their child, how much to feed them, and how to encourage them to eat without worsening the diarrhea. This article will guide you on how to choose appropriate foods, encourage proper eating, and ensure adequate hydration to help your child recover quickly and minimize the risk of dehydration and malnutrition.

Part 1: The Best Feeding Schedule for Children with Diarrhea

Tip 1: Properly Identify Diarrhea in Children

Correctly identify the signs of diarrhea in children before changing their diet.

• Do not rush to adjust the menu just because the child has had one loose stool. A single soft or loose stool can be due to a change in food, overeating, or other temporary reasons.
• If a child has diarrhea with multiple loose or watery stools in a short period, this is a sign that the child's digestive system is having problems and needs appropriate care.
• Observe for accompanying symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, vomiting, fatigue, or reduced feeding to assess the child's condition more comprehensively. If diarrhea persists or there are signs of dehydration, take the child to a medical facility for examination.

Prioritize rehydration immediately when the child has diarrhea.

• When a child has diarrhea, the body loses water and electrolytes very quickly. Therefore, adequate fluid replacement is the top priority in home care.
• Give the child small, frequent sips of water. For infants, continue breastfeeding or formula feeding as directed by the doctor. If necessary, electrolyte rehydration solutions can be used as prescribed.
• Adequate rehydration helps reduce the risk of dehydration, supports the body's recovery, and limits complications caused by diarrhea.

Adjust the diet appropriately for easy absorption.

• After confirming that the child truly has diarrhea, parents should adjust the diet to be easily digestible and suitable for the child's age.
• Divide meals into smaller portions throughout the day to reduce pressure on the digestive system, making it easier for the child to eat and absorb nutrients better.
• Prioritize soft, liquid, easily digestible foods that still provide enough energy, helping to prevent malnutrition during the child's recovery.

Change the feeding schedule to encourage better cooperation from the child.

• A flexible feeding schedule will help a child with diarrhea feel more comfortable eating and drinking.
• Do not force the child to eat too much in one meal. Instead, offer small amounts when the child feels hungry or shows interest in food.
• Maintaining regular meals, combined with water supplementation between meals, will help the child have enough energy to recover and reduce the risk of weight loss due to diarrhea.

Tip 2: Feed the child small, frequent meals

Divide meals into smaller portions to reduce pressure on the digestive system.

• When a child has diarrhea, the digestive system functions less efficiently than usual. Instead of giving the child 3 large meals, divide them into multiple small meals throughout the day so that the stomach and intestines can digest food more easily.
• Each meal should only consist of a moderate amount, suitable for the child's age and eating ability. This method helps reduce feelings of fullness, limit nausea, and encourage the child to eat more throughout the day.
• Small portions can be prepared in separate bowls or cups to make it easier for the child to eat and feel less pressured by seeing too much food.

Ensure adequate hydration throughout the day.

• In addition to eating, rehydration when a child has diarrhea is very important to prevent dehydration and support the recovery process.
• Encourage the child to drink small sips of water frequently throughout the day. For breastfed infants, continue breastfeeding on demand. If advised by a doctor, electrolyte rehydration solution can be supplemented correctly.
• Maintaining adequate fluid intake along with small meals will help the child's body balance lost fluids and reduce the risk of fatigue due to diarrhea.

Consider giving the child water before eating.

• If the child does not want to eat immediately, parents can give them a little water or rehydration solution first, and then offer solid food.
• After the meal, continue to encourage the child to drink more water in appropriate amounts to maintain adequate hydration.
• Do not force the child to eat too much at once. The important thing is that the child receives regular hydration and nutrition throughout the day to support faster and safer recovery when a child has diarrhea.

Tip 3: Prioritize Foods the Child Likes

Choose foods the child likes to stimulate appetite.

• When a child has diarrhea, their appetite often significantly decreases. Instead of forcing them to eat foods they don't like, prioritize familiar foods they enjoy to help them cooperate more during each meal.
• Choose foods that are both palatable and easy to digest, and prepare them soft and easy to swallow to reduce the burden on the sensitive digestive system.
• Do not try to force the child to eat too much at once. Even small, regular portions will help replenish necessary energy and nutrients.

Prepare easily digestible and nutrient-rich dishes.

• If the child likes chicken, you can cook chicken porridge, chicken soup, or soft chicken noodles. These dishes are easy to eat and provide protein, carbohydrates, and water, helping the child maintain their health during recovery.
• Prioritize warm, soft, low-fat, and lightly seasoned dishes to avoid irritating the intestinal tract.
• You can vary the preparation methods of the same ingredients so that the child doesn't get bored, but still ensure it is suitable for the diet for children with diarrhea.

Focus on maintaining nutrition rather than forcing the child to eat a lot.

• The goal during the period when a child has diarrhea is to ensure the child receives adequate fluids and nutrition, not necessarily to eat as much as on a normal day.
• Be patient, encourage, create a comfortable atmosphere during meals, and let the child eat according to their ability.
• As the diarrhea improves, the child's appetite will usually gradually return, and eating will become easier.

Tip 4: Return the Child to a Normal Diet

Gradually restore the diet after the child has recovered from diarrhea.

• When a child with diarrhea has improved for about 2–3 days and bowel movements have returned to normal, parents can gradually return the child to their daily diet.
• Initially, gradually increase the amount of food by giving the child 1–2 main meals combined with 1–2 light snacks. This slow transition allows the digestive system time to adapt.
• Continue with easily digestible foods for the first few days before reintroducing all food groups as before.

Do not force the child to eat too much immediately after recovering from diarrhea.

• Even though the child is feeling better, the digestive system still needs time to fully recover. Therefore, do not force the child to eat large portions or return to a normal diet immediately.
• Let the child eat according to their needs, gradually increasing the amount of food as their appetite improves.
• Monitor the child's digestion after each meal to adjust the menu and portion sizes accordingly.

Mild diarrhea when reintroducing food can be a temporary reaction.

• Some children with diarrhea may experience a mild recurrence when they start eating normally again. This can happen because the intestines are adapting to digesting solid food after a period of rest.
• If the child is still eating well, has no fever, no vomiting, no signs of dehydration, and the diarrhea improves after about 24 hours, parents usually do not need to worry too much.
• However, if diarrhea persists, the frequency of bowel movements increases, there is blood in the stool, the child has a high fever, or shows signs of dehydration such as excessive thirst, dry lips, sunken eyes, or reduced urination, take the child to a medical facility for examination and timely treatment.

Part 2: What to eat and drink for a child with diarrhea to rehydrate?

Tip 1: Rehydrate Children Correctly

Prioritize rehydration immediately when the child has diarrhea.

• Dehydration is a common complication and also the most worrying risk when a child has diarrhea. Therefore, parents need to rehydrate the child as soon as possible.
• In the first few hours, give the child small sips of water, multiple times, instead of drinking too much at once to reduce the risk of vomiting.
• Afterward, it is necessary to supplement with solutions containing electrolytes such as sodium and potassium to replace lost water and minerals. Drinking only plain water for a long time is not enough to replenish electrolytes in the body.

Ensure the child drinks enough water every day.

• Encourage the child to drink water frequently throughout the day, even if they don't feel thirsty yet.
• Depending on age, weight, and the severity of diarrhea, the amount of water needed will vary. Parents should give the child more water than usual to reduce the risk of dehydration.
• For breastfed infants, continue breastfeeding on demand as breast milk provides both water and nutrients, and antibodies to help the child recover.

Avoid drinks that may worsen diarrhea.

• Do not give children with diarrhea a lot of fruit juice, especially apple juice or other sugary juices, as they can prolong or worsen the diarrhea.
• Avoid carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, tea, or caffeinated beverages as they can irritate the intestines and increase the risk of dehydration.
• If the child does not like plain water, consult a doctor to choose appropriate drinks instead of sugary drinks or fruit juices.

Choose an appropriate rehydration solution.

• If the child cannot tolerate milk or diarrhea worsens after drinking milk, discuss with a doctor to adjust the diet accordingly.
• Oral Rehydration Solution (ORESOL/ORS) mixed according to instructions is the recommended choice for rehydrating and replenishing electrolytes for children with diarrhea.
• Do not arbitrarily mix it stronger or weaker than instructed as it may reduce its effectiveness or affect the child's health.

Consult a doctor for young children.

• For children under 1 year old, parents should consult a doctor before using any rehydration solution or electrolyte replacement product.
• Take the child to a medical facility immediately if there are signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, sunken eyes, crying without tears, reduced urination, lethargy, refusal to feed, or persistent diarrhea accompanied by high fever, severe vomiting, or bloody stools. These signs need to be evaluated and treated promptly to avoid dangerous complications.

Tip 2: Choose easily digestible foods for children

Prioritize soft, bland, and starchy foods.

• When a child has diarrhea, choose foods that are bland, lightly seasoned, and easy to digest to reduce pressure on the digestive system.
• Foods should be boiled, steamed, or baked instead of heavily fried. Season with very little salt if needed, and limit spicy, sour, or sugary seasonings.
• Starchy foods provide energy and can help firm up stools in some children during recovery.

Supplement with easily digestible protein sources

• To ensure adequate nutrition, parents can feed children with diarrhea simply prepared lean meats such as:
  • Skinless chicken.
  • Lean beef.
  • Lean pork.
  • Fish.
  • Turkey (if available).
• Boil, steam, or bake instead of frying to make the food easier to digest.
• Hard-boiled eggs are also a suitable protein source if the child tolerates them well.

Choose easily digestible starchy foods

• Starchy foods help provide energy for children during illness, including:
  • White rice.
  • Plain porridge or lean meat porridge.
  • Simple noodles or pasta, with little sauce.
  • Toasted white bread.
  • Boiled potatoes or mashed potatoes.
  • Oatmeal or low-sugar cereals.
  • Pancakes or waffles made from white flour with moderate fat content.

Supplement with appropriate vegetables and fruits

• Some cooked vegetables are often easier to digest and still provide essential vitamins, such as:
  • Carrots.
  • Zucchini.
  • Mushrooms.
  • Green beans.
• Fruits like ripe bananas, apples, or pears are also suitable choices for a child's diarrhea diet, as they contain many nutrients and are relatively easy to digest.

Limit foods that irritate the gut

• During the period when a child has diarrhea, temporarily limit foods that can increase bowel movements or cause bloating, such as:
  • Broccoli.
  • Chilies.
  • Beans.
  • Peas.
  • Large quantities of leafy greens.
  • Corn.
  • Prunes.
  • Berries, if the child has difficulty digesting them.
• Once the child has fully recovered, these foods can be gradually reintroduced to allow the digestive system to adapt.

Tip 3: Remove seeds and peels from food

Make food easier to digest

• When a child has diarrhea, their digestive system is often more sensitive than usual. Therefore, parents should prepare food to be soft, smooth, and easily absorbed.
• For vegetables and fruits, remove seeds and hard skins before preparing or feeding them to the child. This helps reduce hard-to-digest fiber and minimizes intestinal irritation.
• If necessary, chop, mash, or puree food to make it easier for the child to chew, swallow, and digest.

Prioritize peeled fruits and vegetables

• Fruits like apples, pears, peaches, or those with tough skins should be peeled before being given to the child.
• For vegetables like zucchini or foods with seeds, remove the seeds and only use the soft flesh for preparation.
• Cooking vegetables thoroughly before eating will help children with diarrhea absorb nutrients better and reduce the risk of bloating or indigestion.

Prepare food according to the child's eating ability

• Depending on the age, parents can mash, crush, or cut food into small pieces to make it easier for the child to eat.
• Do not give children raw, hard, or fibrous fruits or vegetables during diarrhea, as this can make the digestive system work harder.
• Once the child's diarrhea has improved, gradually increase the amount of fresh vegetables and fruits to supplement fiber and essential vitamins for recovery.

Tip 4: Choose appropriate snacks for children

Supplement with moderately salty snacks

• When a child has diarrhea, the body loses not only water but also some electrolytes, including sodium. Therefore, lightly salted snacks can help replenish sodium along with appropriate rehydration.
• Parents can choose some easily digestible light snacks such as salt crackers or plain toast, depending on the child's age and chewing/swallowing ability.
• Do not overdo excessively salty or high-sodium foods, as children still need an appropriate amount of sodium according to nutritional recommendations.

Season main dishes lightly

• When preparing food for a child with diarrhea, a small amount of salt can be added to dishes like porridge, soup, mashed potatoes, or boiled chicken to enhance flavor and help replenish sodium.
• Prioritize soft, low-fat, and easily digestible dishes over processed foods with high sodium content.
• If the child has a medical condition requiring salt restriction or is being monitored by a doctor, follow specific dietary instructions.

Combine rehydration with salty foods

• Whenever giving a child salty foods, encourage them to drink more water or electrolyte rehydration solution (ORESOL/ORS) as directed to balance lost fluids and electrolytes.
• Do not just supplement with salt and neglect rehydration, as this will not improve dehydration caused by diarrhea.
• Combining a diet for a child with diarrhea with proper rehydration will help the child recover faster and reduce the risk of dehydration complications.

Tip 5: Give children jelly and popsicles

Use cold treats to help with fluid intake

• When a child has diarrhea and is reluctant to drink water or eat, some cold treats can make them more cooperative.
• Children can be given popsicles made from water or electrolyte rehydration solution as directed by a doctor. These treats help replenish fluids and provide comfort, especially in hot weather.
• Avoid popsicles made from milk or those high in sugar, as they can cause bloating or worsen diarrhea in some children.

Jelly can be a suitable option

• Low-sugar fruit jelly can help supplement fluids and stimulate appetite in children during recovery.
• If using fruit jelly, choose a soft, low-sugar variety appropriate for the child's age to reduce the risk of indigestion or choking.
• Jelly should not be considered a primary source of nutrition but only used as a supplementary snack.

Prioritize foods that are easy for children to eat and provide enough fluids

• The important goal when a child has diarrhea is to maintain adequate hydration and provide energy for the body to recover.
• Besides jelly or water-based popsicles, parents still need to feed children main meals with soft, easily digestible foods and continue to supplement with electrolyte rehydration solution (ORESOL/ORS) as directed.
• If the child refuses to eat or drink completely, vomits continuously, or shows signs of dehydration such as dry lips, sunken eyes, decreased urination, or lethargy, seek immediate medical attention.

Tip 6: Supplement with yogurt correctly

Yogurt can help support digestive system recovery

• Once a child's diarrhea has stabilized and they tolerate dairy products well, parents can consider adding yogurt to their diet.
• Yogurt contains probiotics, which can help balance gut microbiota, thereby supporting the digestive recovery process after diarrhea.
• Start with small amounts and monitor the child's reaction. If the child experiences bloating, stomach pain, or worsened diarrhea after eating, stop use and consult a doctor.

Prioritize low-fat, low-sugar yogurt

• Choose low-fat and low-sugar yogurt, as foods high in fat or sugar can cause indigestion or prolong diarrhea in some children.
• Avoid yogurts with a lot of syrup, candy, chocolate, or sweet flavorings as they are not suitable during a period when the digestive system is sensitive.
• Give the child small amounts after meals to help their body adapt better.

Make a smoothie if the child doesn't like yogurt

• If the child doesn't like to eat yogurt directly, parents can blend it with ripe bananas or a small amount of soft fruit to make a smoothie.
• A little water can be added to thin the drink and help provide fluids for the child.
• Only choose easily digestible fruits like bananas or ripe apples; avoid adding too much sugar or sour fruits while the child has diarrhea.

Notes on using milk and dairy products

• Not all children are suitable for yogurt during diarrhea. Some children may experience temporary lactose malabsorption after a gut infection.
• If the child's diarrhea worsens after consuming milk or dairy products, discontinue use and consult a doctor for guidance on an appropriate diet.
• Yogurt supplementation is only a supportive measure. The most important thing is to ensure a balanced diet for children with diarrhea, adequate rehydration, and close monitoring for signs of dehydration or unusual progression.

Tip 7: Avoid gut-irritating foods

Do not give children spicy foods

• When a child has diarrhea, the digestive tract lining is sensitive and easily irritated. Spicy foods can cause stomach pain, more frequent bowel movements, and prolong recovery.
• During this period, avoid dishes with a lot of chili, pepper, satay, curry, or other spicy seasonings.
• Prioritize bland, thoroughly cooked, and lightly seasoned dishes to allow the digestive system to work more gently.

Limit high-fat foods

• Greasy foods are often difficult to digest, can increase the burden on the intestines, and make children with diarrhea feel bloated or more uncomfortable.
• Avoid giving children fried foods, fast food, or foods high in fat while they are sick.
• Instead, choose cooking methods such as boiling, steaming, stewing, or baking to make the food easier to digest and still retain its nutritional value.

Avoid processed and sugary foods

• Limit sausages, pastries, donuts, sugary cookies, packaged foods, and processed foods as they often contain high levels of saturated fat, sugar, salt, and additives.
• These foods are not only difficult to digest but can also disrupt intestinal function, prolonging diarrhea.
• For the diet of children with diarrhea, fresh, simply prepared foods are always a more suitable choice.

Prioritize easily digestible foods for quicker recovery

• Throughout the period when the child has diarrhea, prepare a menu of soft, low-fat, easily digestible, and nutrient-rich foods.
• Combining a proper diet with adequate fluid and electrolyte replacement will help children recover faster, reduce the risk of dehydration, and limit complications from diarrhea.

Part 3: When should a child with diarrhea see a doctor immediately?

Note 1: Take the child to a doctor immediately if there are dangerous signs

Take the child to a medical facility if there is blood or mucus in the stool

• When a child has diarrhea, if there is blood or a lot of mucus in the stool, parents should not self-medicate at home as this could be a sign of intestinal infection, colitis, or a condition that requires early treatment.
• Monitor the color, frequency, and characteristics of the stool to provide complete information to the doctor during the examination.
• Taking the child to a medical facility promptly will help determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment, reducing the risk of complications.

Do not ignore accompanying severe symptoms

• In addition to diarrhea, take the child to a doctor immediately if one or more of the following signs appear:
  • Frequent or continuous vomiting.
  • Severe abdominal pain or crying due to abdominal pain.
  • Persistent nausea.
  • High fever or fever that does not subside.
  • The child is lethargic, difficult to wake, or completely refuses to feed or eat.
• These symptoms may indicate that the child's diarrhea is caused by a more serious underlying condition and requires evaluation by a doctor.

Monitor for signs of dehydration

• Dehydration is the most dangerous complication of diarrhea in young children. Parents need to pay special attention if the child shows signs such as:
  • Excessive thirst.
  • Dry lips and mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Crying without tears.
  • Infrequent urination or no urination for many hours.
  • Poor skin elasticity or extreme fatigue.
• If these signs are present, the child should be taken to the hospital immediately for fluid replacement and timely treatment.

Do not self-administer anti-diarrhea medication

• Do not buy anti-diarrhea medication or antibiotics for children with diarrhea without a doctor's prescription.
• Using medication incorrectly can mask symptoms, delay diagnosis, or cause unwanted side effects.
• While waiting for an examination, continue to give the child plenty of water or oral rehydration solution (ORS), maintain an appropriate diet, and closely monitor the child's condition.

Note 2: Persistent diarrhea requires medical attention

Contact a doctor if diarrhea lasts more than 2-3 days

• Most cases of diarrhea in children will improve within 2-3 days with proper care and adequate rehydration.
• If after this period the child still has frequent loose stools that do not subside, or the condition worsens, parents should contact a doctor for advice and evaluation of the cause.
• Although it may take an additional 1-2 weeks for the child to eat and live completely normally, prolonged diarrhea should not be taken lightly as it may be related to infections, parasites, food intolerance, or other digestive diseases.

Monitor the child's progress daily

• While caring for the child at home, parents should record:
  • The number of times the child has bowel movements per day.
  • Characteristics of the stool (loose, watery, with mucus or blood).
  • The amount of water and food the child consumes.
  • Fever, vomiting, or abdominal pain, if any.
• This information will help the doctor assess the condition of the child with diarrhea more accurately if an examination is needed.

When to take the child to a medical facility immediately?

• Do not wait 2-3 days if the child has warning signs such as:
  • Bloody or very mucousy stool.
  • Very frequent diarrhea throughout the day.
  • Dehydration with sunken eyes, dry lips, infrequent urination, or lethargy.
  • High fever, continuous vomiting, or severe abdominal pain.
  • The child refuses to breastfeed, eat, or cannot drink water.
• In these cases, the child should be taken to a medical facility immediately for diagnosis and timely treatment.

Continue proper care during the monitoring period

• While monitoring the illness, continue to give the child plenty of water or oral rehydration solution (ORS), maintain the diet for children with diarrhea with soft, easily digestible foods, and do not self-administer anti-diarrhea medication without a doctor's prescription.
• Close monitoring combined with proper care will help the child recover faster and reduce the risk of complications.

Note 3: Recognizing severe dehydration in children

Take the child to a medical facility immediately if there are signs of severe dehydration

• Children with diarrhea are at a high risk of dehydration very quickly because their bodies constantly lose water and electrolytes through loose stools. This condition is particularly dangerous in infants and young children as it can progress within just a few hours.
• If severe dehydration is suspected, parents should not continue to monitor at home but should take the child to the nearest hospital or medical facility for evaluation and timely treatment.

Warning signs of severe dehydration

• Take the child to the emergency room or see a doctor immediately if one or more of the following signs appear:
  • Dry mouth and lips, dry or sticky tongue.
  • No urination for 6-8 hours or urinating less than 3 times in 24 hours.
  • Crying without tears.
  • Sunken eyes, a more hollowed-out face than usual.
  • The child is lethargic, sleeps a lot, plays less, reacts slowly, or has reduced movement.
  • Rapid weight loss in a short period.

Closely monitor the child's condition

• While caring for a child with diarrhea, parents should regularly observe the amount of water the child drinks, the number of urinations, the number of bowel movements, and the child's level of alertness.
• Do not rely solely on the feeling of thirst to assess dehydration, as many young children can still be dehydrated even if they do not ask for drinks or clearly show signs of thirst.
• Early detection of abnormal signs will help the child receive treatment at the right time and reduce the risk of dangerous complications.

Continue rehydration on the way to the hospital if the child can still drink

• If the child is still alert and able to drink, give small sips of oral rehydration solution (ORS) as directed while waiting for an examination.
• Do not force the child to drink too much at once, as this may cause vomiting.
• For children who are lethargic, difficult to wake, drink poorly, or cannot drink, they should be taken to a medical facility immediately for fluid replacement and appropriate treatment.

Note 4: Follow the doctor's instructions for treatment

Let the doctor determine the cause of diarrhea

• If the child has diarrhea that is prolonged, recurrent, or has abnormal signs, the doctor may order some tests to find the cause.
• Depending on the case, the child may have a stool sample checked to detect bacteria, viruses, parasites, or other pathogens. In addition, the doctor may order other necessary tests if other causes are suspected.
• Identifying the correct cause is an important step to choosing appropriate treatment and avoiding unnecessary medication.

Do not self-administer antibiotics

• Antibiotics are not a treatment for all cases of diarrhea in children.
• The medication should only be used when the doctor determines that the diarrhea is caused by a bacterial infection or has clear indications. For viral diarrhea, antibiotics are ineffective and can cause side effects or disrupt the intestinal microbiota.
• Parents absolutely must not buy or give antibiotics to their children without guidance from medical staff.

Be cautious with anti-diarrhea medication

• Most anti-diarrhea medications for adults are not recommended for children as they can cause unwanted side effects or mask important symptoms.
• If medication is needed, the doctor will choose the appropriate type based on the child's age, weight, and the cause of the illness.
• In some cases, the doctor may consider supplementing with probiotics to help balance the intestinal flora and shorten the duration of diarrhea, depending on the child's specific condition.

Seek specialist consultation if diarrhea persists

• If a child has diarrhea for many days, repeatedly, or is accompanied by symptoms such as poor weight gain, prolonged abdominal pain, bloody stools, or suspected digestive disease, the doctor may refer the child to a Pediatric Gastroenterologist.
• A specialized examination helps detect conditions such as malabsorption, food allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, or other digestive disorders that require long-term treatment.

Continue supportive care at home

• Even if the child needs medication, rehydration with ORS as directed, maintaining an appropriate diet for children with diarrhea, and closely monitoring for signs of dehydration remain crucial in the treatment process.
• Always follow your doctor's instructions and schedule follow-up appointments if symptoms do not improve or new abnormal signs appear.

References

1. World Health Organization. Diarrhoeal Disease. Geneva: World Health Organization.
2. World Health Organization. Pocket Book of Hospital Care for Children: Guidelines for the Management of Common Childhood Illnesses. 3rd ed. Geneva: World Health Organization.
3. United Nations Children's Fund. Pneumonia and Diarrhoea: Tackling the Deadliest Diseases for the World's Poorest Children. New York: UNICEF.
4. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Managing Acute Gastroenteritis Among Children: Oral Rehydration, Maintenance, and Nutritional Therapy. Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
5. American Academy of Pediatrics. Managing Infectious Diarrhea. In: Red Book: Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
6. American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatric Nutrition. 9th ed. Itasca, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.
7. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Diarrhoea and Vomiting Caused by Gastroenteritis in Under 5s: Diagnosis and Management. London: NICE.
8. European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition. European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases. Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children in Europe. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
9. Guarino A, Ashkenazi S, Gendrel D, Lo Vecchio A, Shamir R, Szajewska H. European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition/European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases Evidence-Based Guidelines for the Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children in Europe. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
10. Szajewska H, Guarino A, Hojsak I, et al. Use of Probiotics for the Management of Acute Gastroenteritis in Children: An Update by the ESPGHAN Working Group for Probiotics and Prebiotics. Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition.
11. World Gastroenterology Organisation. Acute Diarrhea in Children and Adults: A Global Perspective. Milwaukee, WI: World Gastroenterology Organisation.
    

Content editor: Rowan Hudson Le.

Information consulted and verified by expert: Joseph Bennett.