What Are the Points to Be considered in the Nutrition of Children with Fever?

It is quite normal for children who have a fever due to a cold, influenza, throat, or ear infection to have a lack of appetite. Even after their recovery, the loss of appetite continues for a while. Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Pediatric Health and Diseases, Pediatric Gastroenterology Specialist said, “Don't worry if the child isn't eating. When the disease is completely overcome, he/she will replace the lost energy.” Our specialist made explanations about how children with fever should be fed.

How Should Children with Fever Be Fed?

When children have a fever, they may lose their appetite partially or completely. Especially if they have an upper respiratory infection... Moreover, loss of appetite continues not only during the illness but for a while after the infection has passed. Therefore, keep in mind that the child will not be able to eat as much as usual. Give soft, juicy, and pudding-like foods. The child replaces the lost energy after completely recovering from the disease, so do not panic about him/her eating less. But keep in mind that children experiencing frequent long-term febrile diseases may experience permanent weight and height deficiencies.

What Are the Points to Be Considered in Breastfed Babies?

Even if the baby is fed less than normal, he/she should be breastfed as much as possible. After getting over the disease, the baby replaces the missing energy. If necessary, vascular access can be opened in the hospital and intravenous liquid feeding can be applied to babies who are so severely ill that they cannot be breastfed.

What Should Be Done for Babies Using Feeding Bottles?

If the mother is breastfeeding, she should breastfeed her baby as much as possible in addition to giving formula. If there is no breast milk, he/she should continue to eat formula. The baby should be fed little by little at frequent intervals. Apart from these, there is no need to make any major changes in the baby's nutrition.

Should There Be a Special Nutrition If There Is Diarrhea Together with Fever?

Children with diarrhea become dehydrated. At the same time, more energy and fluids are needed because the fever occurs. Therefore, the child's fluid intake should be increased as much as possible. If the general condition is bad, the patient should be hospitalized, and intravenous fluid therapy should be started.

Especially if the child vomits, time should not be wasted. However, in cases of mild fever and diarrhea, it will be useful to give the child ayran-like beverages, or even to give ORS (mixtures containing water and salt in them) prescribed by the doctor.

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