Explanation
•Forcing fluids doesn’t literally means forcing the child to drink plenty of fluids. Excessive fluid intake may also contribute to diarrhea. For a short time, infants are NPO to minimize the risk of vomiting. After a short time, infants may be allowed small sips of clear fluid, an oral rehydration solution, or breast milk. Gradually, the infant’s oral intake is increased, changing to soft then regular diet.
•With patients with diarrhea, it is very important to regulate electrolyte and fluid balance by oral or IV rehydration therapy.
•Diarrhea in infants is always serious because water accounts for 75% of infant body weight and infants have such a small extracellular fluid reserve that sudden losses of water exhaust the supply quickly.