Doctor Pham Manh Than (An Viet Hospital) said that acute diarrhea is a common disease in young children, and if not detected and treated promptly, it can lead to dehydration, serious electrolyte disorders, and even life-threatening.
Busy water and electrolytes are one of the important measures in treating diarrhea, and Oresol solution is often used. However, improperly mixing Oresol can cause side effects and make the child's condition worse.
Recently, An Viet Hospital has received many cases of children with acute diarrhea. A 9-month-old boy in Hanoi was taken to the hospital in a state of severe dehydration and impaired consciousness. Previously, the child was diagnosed with acute diarrhea and was prescribed home treatment. However, the family mixed Oresol incorrectly (using only half a pack of Oresol with 70ml of water instead of mixing with 200ml of boiled water to cool as instructed).
The child was admitted to the hospital in a state of lethargy and impaired consciousness. After examination and testing, the doctors diagnosed the child with severe dehydration due to diarrhea and severe electrolyte disorder due to increased sodium (increased salt content in the blood). Immediately, the child was treated with fluid exchange and adjusted for electrolyte disorder.
Doctor Pham Manh Than added that acute diarrhea in children is a condition in which children pass the toilet many times (over 3 times/day), loose stools or blood-thinning stink, with a foul, fishy smell. Children often feel tired, annoyed, fever, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The main cause is intestinal infections caused by viruses and bacteria, but it can also be caused by external infections, food allergies, food poisoning, side effects, or digestive disorders.
Determining the cause helps treat effectively. When children have symptoms of acute diarrhea, they need to be taken to the hospital for timely treatment to avoid dehydration and dangerous electrolyte disorders. In some cases, if the doctor agrees, treatment can be done at home by giving children enough water, eating scientifically and supplementing foods that are good for digestion.
"Oresol is an effective rehydration and electrolyte solution for both adults and children, recommended for use in cases where children are dehydrated and electrolyte loss due to diarrhea or high fever. However, the effectiveness of Oresol is only achieved when mixed at the right dosage. Over- thickening or over-dilution can cause electrolyte disorders, even leading to brain damage or death in young children," Dr. Pham Manh Than warned.
