Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Does your child have diarrhea with cramping abdominal pain?
See significance of cramping abdominal pain if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.
Note: To help you determine your child's level of pain, see evaluating pain in a child.
Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Note: Do not allow your child to eat until you have talked with your child's doctor. You may give your child sips of water or oral rehydration solution (ORS).
Yes Does your child have severe abdominal pain?
Yes Does your child's diarrhea look like red jelly?
Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Does your child have moderate abdominal pain?
You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Has your child had mild abdominal pain for longer than 24 hours?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: April 28, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics | |
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