Saving a child with critical hypovolemic shock due to acute diarrhea

Doctors at Bai Chay Hospital have just successfully treated a 3-year-old patient with diarrhea leading to dehydration shock. This is one of the most critical cases of hypovolemic shock due to acute diarrhea that the Pediatrics Department of Bai Chay Hospital has ever received and treated.

Patient Nguyen NTM (3 years old, residing in Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province) had diarrhea, high fever accompanied by vomiting many times a day, was transferred to the emergency room at the hospital in a state of drowsiness, poor consciousness, short-term convulsions, vital signs at a dangerous level such as: rapid heartbeat over 200/minute, high fever over 40 degrees, rapid breathing 60-70 times/minute. After clinical examination and paraclinical tests, the patient was diagnosed with: Hypovolemic shock due to severe dehydration from acute diarrhea; acute renal failure; electrolyte disturbance; acid-base disturbance. If not treated properly, death may occur in a short time.

Immediately, the patient was given emergency treatment according to the Ministry of Health 's protocol. After two days of intensive treatment, the child was out of shock, his vital signs improved, his heart rate and breathing rate decreased, he was no longer dehydrated, and he began to eat and drink on his own.

The child's condition improved after intensive emergency treatment.

Dr. Do Kiem Thang, Department of Pediatrics, Bai Chay Hospital said: “Hot weather is the time when respiratory and digestive diseases in children increase, especially acute diarrhea. Children with acute diarrhea have a high rate of stool excretion, which can easily lead to dehydration, electrolyte disorders, acid-base disorders, and life-threatening if not treated promptly. Therefore, parents need to pay attention to their children's vomiting and bowel movements when taking care of their children. If children vomit a lot, have diarrhea many times a day that cannot be controlled at home, are lethargic, tired, and cannot eat or drink, they need to go to the hospital for examination so that the doctor can assess the dehydration and provide an appropriate treatment regimen, avoiding severe dehydration complications due to diarrhea that threaten the child's life. In addition, it is necessary to use ORS according to the standards of the Ministry of Health , mixed according to the correct ratio to rehydrate and rehydrate children at home, minimizing possible complications”.

Diarrhea is one of the causes of death in young children if not treated promptly and effectively. Hot summer with prolonged high temperatures is a favorable condition for viruses and bacteria to develop, causing acute diarrhea in children. Therefore, doctors recommend that parents pay attention to food hygiene for children, eat cooked food, drink boiled water, ensure balanced nutrition to increase resistance, take children to specialized medical facilities for examination and treatment when diarrhea shows signs of prolongation or abnormality for timely treatment, avoiding serious complications.

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