Lethargic 21 month old - no idea what's wrong

[FattipuffsandThinnifers]

My 21 month old ds has been unwell for a few days - the only real symptom has been diarrhea (no vomiting). He hasn't eaten much but has drunk plenty of fluids, so I wasn't too worried, but today is the fourth day and though his stomach seems to have settled down a bit, he is really lethargic. I had to wake him up this morning at 9.30 and he's just sort of flopping around, lying on the sofa etc.

I've called the doc who will call me back, but just wanted to know if anyone thinks this is just a normal side-effect of being unwell? He's had various illnesses before (the usual) but has never been so lethargic.

Any ideas gratefully received! Tia.

Lethargy is a symptom of dehydration, but it could just be that the virus along with not having eaten much has "taken it out of him" and left him with not much energy. When we went to the ER with my then 11 month old son for suspected dehydration (he'd had vomiting and diarrhea for 10 days!) the doctor on duty there told us that a good test to check for dehydration is to pinch the skin on the tummy - if it goes back down immediately he is not dehydrated, but if it kind of sticks up and gradually goes back down he is. The doctor will probably ask you to bring him in asap for a proper evaluation.

Thanks snooch. I'm not sure if it is dehydration - the skin seems ok and he has drunk plenty. And the diarrhea wasn't that extreme. I'm waiting for the gp to call me, but am really getting worried. I've just put him in bed - I have never seen him so drowsy and strange before

Yeah - that's why we ended up taking my son to the ER as well. Just looked and behaved really oddly - listless, floppy, very subdued and not himself at all. The verdict was that he was only slightly dehydrated but that tummy bugs do tend to leave children feeling very shattered indeed and the fact that they aren't eating much either doesn't help with energy levels. Lets hope the doctor calls you back soon - really not nice to worry like that, I know!

Thanks again. Doc has called, she said it is probably a 'viral bug' (seems to be the catch-all for anything they can't identify!), am taking him down this afternoon to be checked. Yes, that's exactly what he's like - listless, subdued etc. When he wakes up I'll try and get as much fluid in him as possible.

How was your ds treated? Do you know if you can give them Diaralyte at this age?

Really appreciate your advice

just been to chemist as ds1 has vommiting and diarrhea. she gave us diaralyte and he is 20 mo. no such luck with tiredness though. he is bounding around between vomits. mummy would like some sleep after being up all night

No probs Fattipuffs - know what it's like to worry like that! Yes, the GPs love the term "viral" these days - as you say, anything inexplicable gets sorted into that category! If his diarrhea hasn't been that extreme and he's been drinking fairly well, I wouldn't think it's dehydration - my DS had it coming out from all ends for over 10 days and it was one or the other at least every hour for the first week!! But then, everybody's different so obviously best to have him checked out. Really hope he gets better soon - hate seeing them in that state Yes, you can give them Diaralyte - this is what the doctor recommended I try, but DS hated the taste so wouldn't take it. He also said to feed him anything that he'll eat and keep down, even it meant chocolate pudding, just to give him some of his energy back!

Thanks - will see what gp advises this afternoon. Yes, if diaralyte is advised, am not relishing the prospect of trying to get him to drink it!

ds took a bit but my doc says flat lemonade just as good. def tastes much better!