Diarrhoea in Children: ORS, Zinc and Danger Signs Every Parent Should Know

Diarrhoea is one of the most common illnesses in children, and in Bangladesh it rises sharply during the summer and monsoon. Most cases get better within a few days, but young children can lose water and salts very quickly. Knowing how to prevent dehydration can save a child's life.

What counts as diarrhoea?

Three or more loose or watery stools in 24 hours. Breastfed babies normally pass soft stools often – what matters is a sudden change to more frequent, watery stools.

The two most important treatments: ORS and zinc

1. Oral rehydration solution (ORS)

• Mix one packet of ORS in exactly the amount of clean water written on the packet (usually half a litre). Do not add more or less water.
• Give small, frequent sips with a cup or spoon after every loose stool:
  • Under 2 years: about 50–100 ml (a quarter to half a cup)
  • 2 years and older: about 100–200 ml (half to one cup)
• If the child vomits, wait 10 minutes, then continue more slowly.
• Throw away mixed ORS after 12 hours and make a fresh one.

2. Zinc

Zinc reduces the length and severity of diarrhoea. Give it once a day for 10–14 days, even after the diarrhoea stops:

• Under 6 months: 10 mg a day
• 6 months and older: 20 mg a day

Keep feeding your child

• Continue breastfeeding – more often than usual.
• Older children should keep eating normal home food: rice, dal, khichuri, banana, egg, fish.
• Avoid soft drinks, packaged juice and very sugary food, which can make diarrhoea worse.

Medicines to avoid

Do not give anti-diarrhoeal medicines (such as loperamide) to children. Antibiotics are needed only for certain infections – for example, when there is blood in the stool – and only if a doctor prescribes them.

Danger signs: go to hospital immediately

• The child is very sleepy, difficult to wake or unusually irritable
• Unable to drink or breastfeed, or vomits everything
• Sunken eyes, very dry mouth, no tears when crying
• Skin pinched on the belly goes back very slowly
• Very little or no urine for 6 hours or more
• Blood in the stool, high fever or convulsions
• Diarrhoea lasting more than 14 days

How to prevent diarrhoea

• Exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months
• Safe drinking water – boiled or filtered
• Washing hands with soap before preparing food, before feeding and after using the toilet
• Covering food and eating it fresh
• Rotavirus and measles vaccination as per the national schedule

Frequently asked questions

Can I make ORS at home?

Packet ORS is safest. If it is not available, give rice water, dal water or clean water and get packet ORS as soon as possible.

Should I stop milk?

No. Never stop breastfeeding. Most children can continue their usual milk too.

Worried about your child? Talk to a TeleRx doctor online for quick advice – and go to the hospital without delay if you see any danger sign.