Common Pediatric Concerns: Diarrhea and Persistent Fever in Young Children

Pediatric issues

Hello, doctor.
I have a question regarding my child who is almost five years old.
A few days ago, he ate some baby corn (not the whole piece, just a small cut).
However, he only chewed it a few times before swallowing it.
Since then, his stools have been somewhat loose, and he has had diarrhea, but he hasn't complained of any stomach pain.
The elders at home are blaming this on the fact that I didn't chop the baby corn finely enough for him.
I'm quite confused—is this really the case as they say?
Additionally, another issue is that he had a fever the night before last (just a fever, with no other cold symptoms).
The next day, the fever subsided, but now, on the third day, his ear temperature has been consistently between 38°C and 38.4°C, and it hasn't gone down.
Can you explain why this is happening? If this temperature continues daily, what could happen?

Amy, 30~39 year old female. Ask Date: 2019/07/21

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics

I believe that not cutting the baby corn into small pieces should not cause diarrhea, and the combination with fever is most likely due to an infection leading to gastroenteritis.
Fever is simply a sign of the child's immune system fighting off the bacteria and is not necessarily a bad thing.
If the child remains active, a fever lasting 3 to 4 days is generally acceptable.
However, if there is decreased activity, diarrhea leading to dehydration, or a fever lasting more than 4 days with increasing temperature and frequency, it is advisable to visit a pediatrician for evaluation.

Reply Date: 2019/07/21

More Info

When it comes to common pediatric concerns such as diarrhea and persistent fever in young children, it is essential to understand the underlying causes and appropriate management strategies. In your case, your nearly five-year-old child has experienced diarrhea after consuming corn shoots and has had a persistent fever for three days. Let’s break down these issues.

Diarrhea After Eating Corn Shoots
Diarrhea in children can be caused by various factors, including dietary changes, infections, or even food intolerances. In your situation, it is possible that the corn shoots, which are fibrous and may not have been chewed thoroughly, could have contributed to gastrointestinal upset. However, it is important to note that simply swallowing food without chewing it properly does not typically cause diarrhea unless there is an underlying sensitivity or an infection.

Since your child is not experiencing abdominal pain, this is a positive sign. Diarrhea can sometimes occur due to the introduction of new foods, especially if they are high in fiber or if the child’s digestive system is not accustomed to them. It is also crucial to monitor for signs of dehydration, which can occur with diarrhea. Ensure your child is drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or oral rehydration solutions, to stay hydrated.

Persistent Fever
Regarding the persistent fever, it is concerning that your child has been experiencing a temperature between 38°C and 38.4°C (100.4°F to 101.1°F) for three days without any other accompanying symptoms. A fever is typically a sign that the body is fighting off an infection, and it can be caused by viral or bacterial infections, among other factors.

In children, it is not uncommon for fevers to persist for several days, especially if the body is responding to a viral infection. However, if the fever continues beyond three days, it is crucial to consult a pediatrician for further evaluation. The doctor may want to rule out any serious infections or conditions that could be causing the prolonged fever.

Recommendations
1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on your child’s symptoms. If diarrhea persists for more than a couple of days or if your child develops additional symptoms such as vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or signs of dehydration (dry mouth, decreased urination, lethargy), seek medical attention.

2. Fever Management: For the fever, you can use age-appropriate fever reducers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen, but always follow the dosage instructions based on your child’s weight and age. If the fever persists or worsens, or if your child appears unusually lethargic or irritable, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider.

3. Dietary Considerations: While it is unlikely that the corn shoots alone caused the diarrhea, it may be wise to avoid introducing new or fibrous foods until your child’s gastrointestinal symptoms resolve. Stick to a bland diet that is easy on the stomach, such as bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast (the BRAT diet).

4. Hydration: Ensure your child stays well-hydrated, especially if diarrhea continues. Oral rehydration solutions can be beneficial in replacing lost fluids and electrolytes.

5. Follow-Up: If the fever does not resolve in the next couple of days or if you have any concerns about your child’s health, do not hesitate to reach out to your pediatrician for further evaluation and guidance.

In summary, while the symptoms your child is experiencing may be related to dietary changes, it is essential to monitor their condition closely and seek medical advice if symptoms persist or worsen. Early intervention can help prevent complications and ensure your child’s well-being.

Similar Q&A

Persistent Fever and Diarrhea in Children: When to Seek Hospital Care

My child has had a high fever for several days, with intermittent fever and diarrhea, sometimes watery stools and sometimes normal. The pediatrician said this is a typical case of gastroenteritis, but despite taking medication, the fever and diarrhea persist. Should I take my chi...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
Dear Xiao Juan, In response to your question, most fevers in children are caused by infections, so identifying the cause of the infection is more important. Since your child has diarrhea, it is possible that the fever is caused by gastroenteritis. The key points to monitor for g...

Understanding Fever and Diarrhea in Children: When to Seek Hospital Care

The child has been experiencing recurrent fever for 3-4 days (38-39 degrees Celsius) and has been having diarrhea, with several watery stools daily, which are unformed. Every time the child eats, they have diarrhea, and there is a noticeable decrease in appetite, along with a cou...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
Here, I can only say that the best person to understand your child's condition is their attending physician. It is difficult to fully assess your child's situation with limited information. I recommend closely collaborating with your child's attending physician, wh...

Managing Persistent Fever in Toddlers: When to Seek Emergency Care

Hello, my daughter is currently 1 year and 4 months old. This past Monday morning, she was diagnosed with acute pharyngitis at Clinic A due to a fever. After returning home and taking her medication on schedule, she continued to have recurrent high fevers (between 38-39 degrees C...

Dr. He Zongxian reply Pediatrics
Hello, taking care of a feverish child has been really tough these past few days! However, if your daughter continues to have a fever (lasting more than 72 hours) or experiences any of the following symptoms, it is advisable to go to the hospital for further evaluation: a tempera...

Understanding Bacterial and Viral Infections in Young Children

Hello, doctor. I have a two-year and two-month-old son. He started showing some cold symptoms on May 7th, such as a mild fever (not exceeding 39 degrees Celsius), cough, and runny nose. By May 11th, he was almost recovered. However, two days later, on May 14th, he began to experi...

Dr. Xiao Kaiwen reply Pediatrics
Dear YOYO Mom, In response to your questions, here are the details: 1. There are many reasons that can cause a child to have a fever (such as infections, autoimmune diseases, drug fever, summer fever, vaccinations, tumors, etc.). In pediatrics, over 90% of cases are due to infe...