Nurturing when children are sick

The article was written by Dr. BS Phan Nguyen Thanh Binh - Head of the Department of Nutrition - Dietetics, Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital

Anorexia and digestive disorders when children are sick always make parents worried and confused in nutritional care. So, how to nurture children at the sick stage to help them quickly recover from illness and recover? The article focuses on two common diseases in young children: acute respiratory infections and acute diarrhea.

Children with infectious diseases have higher than normal nutritional needs while children often have anorexia or nausea and vomiting. If the diet lacks nutrients compared to actual needs, children are prone to weight loss, malnutrition and prolonged recovery time.
>>> Acute respiratory tract infections in children
1.1 General principles Persist, encourage children to eat and drink Give children many meals, a little at each meal Feed children foods that are easy to digest and rich in nutrients. form of meals, give the child foods he likes to stimulate his appetite If the child is breastfed: continue to breastfeed more often and for longer periods of time 1.2 Acute infectious period Children under 6 months of age breastfed: give The baby feeds more often and for a longer time than usual. If the baby cannot suckle, the mother needs to express milk to feed the baby with a spoon. Formula-fed babies: feed them more often. Children who have solid foods: Need to give thinner powder and porridge than usual, but still keep the principle of having enough 4 food groups. It is necessary to change foods and give children foods they like to encourage them to eat more and stimulate their appetite. Try to gradually increase protein (2-3g/kg/day) and energy (100kcal/kg/day) and energy density with fat (30%) Increase vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and vitamins group B, vitamin A.

1.3 Remission period Children should be fed gradually back to normal, followed by a recovery diet. A recovery diet is a diet that is rich in energy, protein, and nutrients by increasing portions, increasing volume and/or increasing energy and nutrient density until the child regains weight and achieves a healthy weight gain. normal growth.

Children with diarrhea often suffer from malnutrition, dehydration - electrolytes and can lead to death Malnutrition and diarrhea are often closely related. Malnourished children often have diarrhea and diarrhea will cause malnutrition and make malnutrition worse.
>>> Signs of dehydration and how to treat children with acute diarrhea
When the child has diarrhea, the child's body will reduce the absorption of nutrients and often have poor appetite, poor appetite, and mothers Stop feeding your child or restrict himself excessively when the child has diarrhea.
2.1 General principles Rehydration, electrolytes Feed children many meals, each meal a little. Feed children soft, well-cooked, easy-to-digest and nutritious foods Pay attention to food hygiene and safety to avoid danger. chance of superinfection 2.2 Acute diarrhea period Rehydration - electrolytes
Children with diarrhea need to be rehydrated with fluids and electrolytes to compensate for the loss of fluid through feces and vomiting. If you give your child enough fluids to drink at the first episode of diarrhea, dehydration can be prevented.
+ Moderate and severe dehydration: treat at a medical facility
+ Mild dehydration: rehydrate the child at home, drink more water than usual by:
Breastfeeding Oresol solution Cool boiled water Solutions made from foods with added salt such as salted porridge, roasted rice water 50g rice+ 3.5g salt+ 1 liter boiled water), carrot soup+ salt, juice

Nurturing
Children under 6 months of age who are breastfed: continue to breastfeed normally, increase the number of feedings to rehydrate Children who have eaten solids: ensure that there are enough 4 food groups, can divide meals, cook softer. Amount and frequency of feeding: Feeding your baby little and often is better than eating a lot but less often Every 2-3 hours, about 6 times a day.
Type of food: ensure enough 4 food groups, choose nutritious foods such as meat, eggs, milk, fish,... Need to add fat to increase the energy of the portion. Give your child more ripe fruits or potassium-rich juices such as bananas, oranges, lemons, mangoes, coconut water, papayas,...
How to prepare: soft, well-cooked, easy-to-digest foods Eat immediately after cooking to ensure hygiene and reduce the risk of superinfection.
Foods to avoid: industrial soft drinks (sweet, colored), foods and drinks that are sweet, high in sugar and foods high in fiber, whole grains because they are difficult to digest. Note: Diluted soups and porridges are only solutions for rehydration, should not be considered as food because they do not provide enough nutrients.
2.3 Recovery period After the diarrhea is over, to help the child recover quickly and not be malnourished, it is necessary to give the child one more meal a day for 2 weeks in a row. For children with persistent diarrhea, give them one extra meal a day and last for at least 1 month.