Having a sick child is never a fun experience but the matter can become even more worrisome when the child is experiencing diarrhea. While the watery stool can simply be the result of something as harmless as a temporary reaction to food, it can also be indicative of more serious maladies if accompanied by certain other symptoms. It's important to know when to seek a physician's services.
Blood
Mild cases of diarrhea just involved loose stools, but if blood is present in the child's output a doctor should be called immediately. Blood can indicate that the child is suffering from gastroenteritis, which the "American Family Physician" journal describes as a common illness among children that is caused by transmission of a virus. While most cases rectify themselves, a small amount of others can be more aggressive and require fluid management dispensed either at home or in a hospital depending on the doctor's recommendation.
Fever
A viral infection is most likely the cause of diarrhea in children that is accompanied by a fever of more than 101.4 degrees Fahrenheit. However, because there are so many different kinds of infections, a doctor will need to be called to determine what method of treatment he thinks might be the best course of action.
Black Stool
Black, tarry loose stools can be the result of a condition known as "melena," which means the child is experiencing upper gastrointestinal bleeding and needs to see a doctor as the condition can be serious and require extensive medical intervention. According to the Up To Date website, the most common causes of this condition are "gastric and duodenal ulcers, esophagitis and gastritis."
Dehydration
The human body needs to remain hydrated in order for all of its organs to function properly. If a child has prolonged diarrhea he may become dehydrated. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, a doctor should be called if a child suffering from diarrhea has sunken eyes, has not urinated in at least 8 hours, has dry skin that does not spring back immediately when pinched or appears listless.
