What tests should be done for diarrhea in children?
Diarrhea in children is one of the common diseases in children. The causes are complex and may be caused by infection, allergies, indigestion and other factors. For accurate diagnosis and treatment, doctors usually recommend a series of tests. The following are the examination items and precautions related to pediatric diarrhea that have been hotly discussed on the Internet in the past 10 days for parents’ reference.
1. Common examination items for diarrhea in children

| Check type | Check items | purpose | Applicable situations |
|---|---|---|---|
| laboratory tests | Blood routine | Determine if infection or inflammation is present | Fever and diarrhea last for a long time |
| laboratory tests | bowel routine | Detect pathogens (e.g. bacteria, viruses) | Diarrhea with mucus or bloody stools |
| laboratory tests | Stool culture | Identify specific pathogenic bacteria | suspected bacterial infection |
| laboratory tests | Rotavirus testing | Diagnosing rotavirus infection | High incidence period in autumn and winter |
| laboratory tests | electrolyte check | Assess the degree of dehydration | severe diarrhea or vomiting |
| Imaging examination | Abdominal B-ultrasound | Check for intussusception and other acute abdomen | Severe abdominal pain or obvious bloating |
| Other tests | Allergen testing | Check for food allergies | Recurrent diarrhea or rash |
2. Precautions for diarrhea examination in children
1.Preparation before inspection: Some examinations require fasting, parents should consult their doctor in advance. For example, a blood test usually requires fasting for 4-6 hours.
2.specimen collection: Stool samples should be fresh and free from contamination. It is best to submit them for examination within 1 hour. Use clean containers to avoid mixing urine.
3.Check timing: Stool examination can be performed at the early stage of diarrhea, but blood routine examination may need to be determined according to the development of the disease.
4.Interpretation of results: The test results need to be comprehensively judged by professional doctors based on clinical symptoms, and parents are not allowed to interpret them on their own.
3. Recently hotly discussed topics related to diarrhea in children
1.Rotavirus vaccination: Recently, an increase in rotavirus infection cases has been reported in many places, and experts recommend timely vaccination.
2.Antibiotic abuse problem: Many parents misuse antibiotics to treat viral diarrhea, which worsens the condition.
3.Intestinal flora testing: Whether the intestinal flora testing promoted by some institutions is necessary has triggered discussion. Experts believe that ordinary diarrhea does not require routine testing.
4.Traditional Chinese Medicine conditioning methods: The application of traditional Chinese medicine methods such as massage and diet therapy in the recovery period of diarrhea has become a hot topic.
4. Frequently Asked Questions for Parents
1.Q: Is it necessary to check for diarrhea in children?
A: Mild diarrhea can be observed first, but if it lasts for more than 2 days and is accompanied by fever or bloody stools, timely examination is recommended.
2.Q: Is the inspection cost high?
A: The cost of basic examinations (such as routine stool tests) is relatively low, about 20-50 yuan; special examinations (such as intestinal flora testing) may cost several hundred yuan.
3.Q: Will the examination be painful for the child?
A: Most tests are non-invasive (such as stool tests). Blood drawing may cause temporary discomfort, but it is less painful.
5. Suggestions on preventing diarrhea in children
1. Pay attention to dietary hygiene and avoid raw and cold food.
2. Wash your hands frequently, especially before meals and after using the toilet.
3. Feed properly and avoid overeating.
4. Get vaccinated on time (such as rotavirus vaccine).
5. Avoid close contact with patients with diarrhea.
Although diarrhea is common in children, timely and correct examination and treatment are crucial. Parents should stay calm, follow the doctor's instructions for examination, and do not take medication blindly. With scientific diagnosis and care, most children can recover quickly.
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