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Assessment and treatment of diarrhoea
If the child vomits, wait 10 minutes. Then give the solution more slowly (for example, a
spoonful every 2‐3 minutes).
If diarrhoea continues after the ORS packets are used up, tell the mother to give other
fluids as described in the first rule above or return for more ORS.
Rule 2:
Give supplemental zinc sulfate 20 mg tab to the child, every day for 10
to 14 days
Zinc sulfate can be given as dispersible tablets. By giving zinc sulfate as soon as diarrhoea
starts, the duration and severity of the episode as well as the risk of dehydration will be
reduced. By continuing zinc sulfate supplementation for 10 to 14 days, the zinc lost during
diarrhoea is fully replaced and the risk of the child having new episodes of diarrhoea in the
following 2 to 3 months is reduced.
Rule 3:
Continue to feed the child, to prevent malnutrition
Breastfeeding should always be continued.
The infantʹs usual diet should be continued during diarrhoea and increased afterwards;
Food should never be withheld and the childʹs usual food should not be diluted;
Most children with watery diarrhoea regain their appetite after dehydration is
corrected;
Milk:
Infants of any age who are breastfed should be allowed to breast‐feed as often and
as long as they want. Infants will often breastfeed more than usual, encourage this;
Infants who are not breastfed, should be given their usual milk feed (formula) at
least every three hours, if possible by cup.
Infants below 6 months of age who take breast milk and other foods should
receive increased breastfeeding. As the child recovers and the supply and the
supply of breast milk increases, other foods should be decreased.
A child who is at least 6 months old or is already taking soft foods should be
given cereals, vegetables and other foods, in addition to milk. If the child is over 6
months and such foods are not yet being given, they should be started during the
diarrhoea episode or soon after it stops.
Recommended food should be culturally acceptable, readily available. Milk should
be mixed with a cereal and if possible, 1 ‐ 2 teaspoonfuls of vegetable oil should be
added to each serving of cereal. If available, meat, fish or egg should be given.
Foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, green coconut water and fresh fruit juice
are beneficial;
offer the child food every three or four hours (six times a day);
after the diarrhoea stops, continue to give the same energy‐rich food, and
give one more meal than usual each day for at least two weeks.
317
If the child vomits, wait 10 minutes. Then give the solution more slowly (for example, a
spoonful every 2‐3 minutes).
If diarrhoea continues after the ORS packets are used up, tell the mother to give other
fluids as described in the first rule above or return for more ORS.
Rule 2:
Give supplemental zinc sulfate 20 mg tab to the child, every day for 10
to 14 days
Zinc sulfate can be given as dispersible tablets. By giving zinc sulfate as soon as diarrhoea
starts, the duration and severity of the episode as well as the risk of dehydration will be
reduced. By continuing zinc sulfate supplementation for 10 to 14 days, the zinc lost during
diarrhoea is fully replaced and the risk of the child having new episodes of diarrhoea in the
following 2 to 3 months is reduced.
Rule 3:
Continue to feed the child, to prevent malnutrition
Breastfeeding should always be continued.
The infantʹs usual diet should be continued during diarrhoea and increased afterwards;
Food should never be withheld and the childʹs usual food should not be diluted;
Most children with watery diarrhoea regain their appetite after dehydration is
corrected;
Milk:
Infants of any age who are breastfed should be allowed to breast‐feed as often and
as long as they want. Infants will often breastfeed more than usual, encourage this;
Infants who are not breastfed, should be given their usual milk feed (formula) at
least every three hours, if possible by cup.
Infants below 6 months of age who take breast milk and other foods should
receive increased breastfeeding. As the child recovers and the supply and the
supply of breast milk increases, other foods should be decreased.
A child who is at least 6 months old or is already taking soft foods should be
given cereals, vegetables and other foods, in addition to milk. If the child is over 6
months and such foods are not yet being given, they should be started during the
diarrhoea episode or soon after it stops.
Recommended food should be culturally acceptable, readily available. Milk should
be mixed with a cereal and if possible, 1 ‐ 2 teaspoonfuls of vegetable oil should be
added to each serving of cereal. If available, meat, fish or egg should be given.
Foods rich in potassium, such as bananas, green coconut water and fresh fruit juice
are beneficial;
offer the child food every three or four hours (six times a day);
after the diarrhoea stops, continue to give the same energy‐rich food, and
give one more meal than usual each day for at least two weeks.
317
