Food poisoning is serious for anyone, but very young children are in one of the higher risk groups to become very ill and dehydrated from food poisoning, the Mayo Clinic says. Parents may be concerned about spotting the signs of food poisoning in their toddler and wonder what to do if it's suspected.
Symptoms
Food poisoning can be difficult to distinguish from other illnesses such as stomach viruses--especially in children too young to communicate all of their symptoms. If other people who consumed the same food as the toddler also became ill, it's likely the cause is food poisoning. Symptoms of food poisoning include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, according to Babycenter.com. Other symptoms that can sometimes accompany food poisoning are fever, achiness, chills and possibly headaches.
Duration
Symptoms of food poisoning typically show up between 2 to 28 hours after a toddler consumes contaminated food. Food poisoning generally lasts only a day or two. In more severe cases, the child can be sick for a week or longer.
Common Causes
Toddlers can come down with food poisoning in many ways. Coming in contact with raw or undercooked meat or poultry and then putting their hands in their mouth, or consuming these foods directly, can cause food poisoning. Eating foods that come out of dented cans or jars with loose lids, or food that has been sitting at room temperature for several hours--especially foods containing meat or mayonnaise--are common culprits for food poisoning. Healthychildren.org also recommends avoiding unpasteurized milk and cheeses.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If food poisoning is suspected, call a pediatrician as soon as possible for guidance. She'll probably ask whether the child has a fever, blood in his stool or vomit, and about the frequency and severity of vomiting and diarrhea. In most average cases of food poisoning, the only treatment the child needs is rest and fluids such as water or juice. The pediatrician might also recommend the toddler drink something to replace lost electrolytes, such as Pedialyte, according to Babycenter.com. If the child has a fever, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help bring the fever down temporarily and help body aches. In more severe cases, a pediatrician might hospitalize a sick toddler in order to keep a close eye on him as well as replace fluid for the toddler intravenously.
Warning
If a toddler becomes ill with suspected food poisoning during non-business hours and seems very sick or dehydrated, call 911 or take the child to the emergency room to be on the safe side.
