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Diarrhoea & Dehydration in Children
Diarrhoea is common in children and usually caused by a passing infection. The main risk is dehydration, which oral rehydration solution (ORS) prevents effectively.
Causes & risk factors
- Viral gut infections (rotavirus and others)
- Bacterial infections from contaminated food or water
- Parasites
- Food intolerance or a reaction to some medicines
- Poor sanitation and unclean water in some settings
Common symptoms
- Loose, watery stools
- Vomiting
- Tummy cramps
- Fever
- Dry mouth, few tears, sunken eyes (dehydration)
- Passing little urine
Tests & diagnosis
- Usually none — assessed clinically
- Stool test (if blood, mucus or persistent)
- Electrolytes (if severely dehydrated)
Treatment & management
- Give ORS (oral rehydration solution) frequently in small sips
- Continue breastfeeding or normal feeds as tolerated
- Zinc supplements for a course as recommended for children
- Avoid sugary fizzy drinks
- Wash hands well and use clean water and food to prevent spread
When to see a doctor urgently
- Signs of dehydration: very drowsy, sunken eyes, no tears, little urine — seek urgent care
- Blood in the stool, or persistent vomiting so fluids cannot be kept down — urgent
- A baby under 6 months with diarrhoea — get seen promptly
- Diarrhoea lasting more than a few days or a high fever
Not a diagnosis. MedDroid gives general educational information about diarrhoea & dehydration in children. It cannot examine you, diagnose or prescribe — always confirm with a qualified doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best treatment for a child’s diarrhoea?
ORS to prevent dehydration, plus continued feeding and zinc, is the mainstay. Most infections clear on their own, so the focus is on keeping the child well hydrated.
Should I stop feeding during diarrhoea?
No. Continue breastfeeding and normal food as tolerated. Stopping feeds slows recovery. Just add ORS to replace the extra fluid being lost.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.