Can infantile diarrhea cause acidosis?
Disease description:
My child has recently had symptoms of diarrhea, and I'm particularly worried about the possibility of acidosis. Can diarrhea in children cause acidosis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Pediatric diarrhea can indeed potentially lead to acidosis. This is mainly because, during prolonged diarrhea, large amounts of alkali substances and water are lost through the feces, leading to disturbances in the internal environment and possibly triggering metabolic acidosis. Additionally, the loss of body fluids during diarrhea may cause insufficient renal blood flow and reduced urine output in children, hindering the excretion of acidic substances and thus increasing the risk of acidosis. Acidosis is characterized by an increased concentration of hydrogen ions and a decreased blood pH value, which may negatively affect the child's systemic health, including the nervous system, heart, liver, and kidney function. Therefore, when children develop diarrhea, parents should closely monitor their electrolyte status, maintain fluid and electrolyte balance, and promptly take measures to alleviate diarrhea symptoms to prevent the occurrence of acidosis.
