A father brings a boy, 1 year old, to the Emergency Department with a 5 month history of diarrhea which is described as frequent liquid stools. There is no blood in the stool. The child has not been vomiting and has abdominal pain. Weight gain slowed significantly after about 6 months of age. The child is in daycare. The child is fully immunized and is breastfed with a variety of solids. Family history reveals that the child's father has hypothyroidism. On examination the child looks well. The vital signs are as follows, bp: normal, hr: normal and temp: 36.6°C. Abdomen is mildly distended. Perianal examination is normal. Skin examination is normal. 

What is/are the most appropriate initial step(s) in management? Check all that apply.

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Author

Dr. Joanna Holland

joanna.holland@iwk.nshealth.ca

Reviewers

Dr. Karen Forbes

Dr. Nicole Johnson

nicole.johnson@ahs.ca