Diarrhea and Vomiting (Gastroenteritis)
CHILDREN 2 TO 4 YEARS OLD

Diarrhea and vomiting may be caused by a virus or bacteria. Food poisoning or eating unusual kinds or amounts of food may also lead to vomiting and diarrhea. Diarrhea may be caused by antibiotics. Usually vomiting may last 1 to 2 days and diarrhea may last up to a week.

Home Treatment:

It is very important in children to watch for signs of dehydration (not enough fluid in the body). Young children can quickly become dehydrated.

What to do for Children 2 to 4 Years:

• For each large loose stool they need 120ml to 240ml (4 to 8 ounces) of rehydration drink.
• You need to use a children's rehydration drink like Pedialyte or the store brand equivalent. Do not use sport drinks, fruit juice, or pop. These drinks have too much sugar in them and not enough of the electrolytes that are being lost through the diarrhea.
• Rehydration drinks should not replace food and other fluids for more than 24 hours.
• Usually after 12 to 24 hours most children can go back to their normal diet. Let them eat what they want except stay away from high-fiber foods (like beans) and foods with lots of sugar (like juice and ice cream) for a few days.

How can I tell if they are getting better?

• Stools will become smaller and happen less often
• Some types of diarrhea will last for 4 to 6 days
• They are peeing like they usually do.
• They look and feel better.

Return to the Emergency Department or see your doctor soon IF:

• Diarrhea is bloody, black, or dark red.
• Pee is bloody or cola color.
• Vomiting happens and the child also has: bad headache, really tired, stiff neck (they may cry when their neck is moved)

Any signs of dehydration like:

• No pee for 12 hours or less than 3 times in 24 hours
• Eyes look sunken back in their head
• No tears when they cry
• Skin looks Grey in color
• Really thirsty
• Breathing fast
• Sleepy
• Mouth, tongue, skin looks dry
• Spit is sticky

Other reasons to take them to the hospital or doctor include:

• They will not drink or can not drink enough fluid to replace what they lost.
• High fever or lower fever with diarrhea for more than 2 days.
• Bad pains in the stomach
• Stomach pain continues and there is frequent vomiting for more than 12 hours with little or no diarrhea.
• Stomach pain starts several hours before the vomiting and seems like more than stomach cramps.
• Stomach pain is more to the lower right side instead of around the belly button (this may be hard to tell in small children)
• They do not seem to be improving as well as you think they should.