Diarrhea in children is a common illness that may be caused by food reactions, medications, artificial sweeteners, foodborne bacteria, parasites or viral infections. Immediate medical care is needed in the case of bloody diarrhea, prolonged vomiting, or symptoms of dehydration, such as dry eyes or listlessness. For mild to moderate symptoms, fluid replacement can be accomplished with breastmilk or pediatric rehydration solutions. Older infants and children can be given a few well-tolerated foods to help stop diarrhea.
Yogurt
An acquired deficiency of lactose, an enzyme needed to digest milk sugars, is associated with diarrhea. Parents are normally warned not to give dairy products to children with diarrhea. An exception is yogurt or kefir with active probiotics cultures, because the friendly bacteria in such foods can replace those lost to frequent stools or antibiotic therapy. Probiotics fight pathogens in the gut by competing for space and nutrients. Organisms such as lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are necessary for firm stools. In a double-blind case-controlled study, Iranian researchers gave 100 children who were hospitalized with acute diarrhea either ordinary yogurt or yogurt with active probiotic cultures. The subjects were between the ages of six months and 12 years. Diarrhea was significantly reduced both in frequency and duration for those who received yogurt with live probiotic cultures. The findings were published in the March 2010 "Saudi Medical Journal."
Starches
Salty foods such as soups and crackers may aid fluid replacement and retention. Carbohydrate foods with little fiber such as unsweetened cereals, plain potatoes, noodles and bread are easily digested by intestinal enzymes and absorbed as glucose to provide needed energy. Bits of fresh fruit can be added, but fruit juices should be avoided as the high sugar content draws water into the bowel and may exacerbate diarrhea. Fatty foods can also make diarrhea worse by affecting gastric emptying. Consider that diarrhea in some children may be caused by gluten intolerance, or celiac disease. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse reports that intestinal damage caused by celiac in children heals completely within three to six months on a gluten-free diet. Reintroducing gluten, however, will cause more distress. Rice and potatoes are considered safe foods for gluten-intolerant children.
The BRATT Diet
Although there are no scientific studies to prove its efficiency, the BRATT diet is time-honored and traditional in most acute-care settings, with many family practice physicians prescribing it for home treatment. The acronym stands for bananas, rice cereal, applesauce, tea and toast. Weak black or green tea may be replaced with chamomile or peppermint tea, which the University of Maryland Medical Center reports is a traditional remedy for stomach upset and diarrhea. The BRATT diet is well tolerated because it contains starches and fruit. The diet may be deficient in protein and calories, however, and is not recommended for prolonged use.
