This includes over the counter products such as vitamins, pain relievers and cold medicines, prescription drugs, nutritional supplements and grandma's home remedy. A weekly diary of food intake along with this information may reveal an interaction which otherwise might be missed. Constipation and Diarrhea Children with low muscle tone, decreased activity, multiple medications or low fiber and fluid intake are at high risk for bowel problems especially constipation. Common side effects of many drugs or either constipation or diarrhea. The diarrhea can deplete the body of needed nutrients and hydration very quickly.
Constipation can also interfere with nutrition by making the child uncomfortable and refuse to eat.
This can be exacerbated if the treatment for chronic constipation includes laxatives and enemas. Laxatives can interfere with the absorption of some nutrients while enemas may facilitate the loss of nutrients. Proper assessment of your child's problem is necessary to determine the management strategy. Consider, for example, the detrimental effects of increasing fiber for a child whose diet is too low in fluids. The assessment will suggest appropriate management strategies.