Concerns About My 16-Month-Old's Distended Belly
My child, who is 16 months old, has no existing health complications and is currently on a daily dose of 6mg Miralax. Recently, at the emergency room, he was diagnosed with overflow diarrhea, experiencing as many as 15 episodes a day. The x-ray results indicated a gas-filled, non-dilated transverse colon and showed a non-obstructive bowel pattern along with a moderate accumulation of stool. As of today, he’s on his second day of Miralax, which had to be specially ordered from the pharmacy. His belly appears swollen and feels hard to the touch. Is this a typical reaction? On a positive note, his diarrhea has significantly improved today, down to just one instance. However, he hasn’t been able to pass any solid stool so far. Should I continue monitoring him at home, or would this condition require an emergency room visit? He has been quite irritable, though this has been the case over the past few days due to his illness.
Answers (1)
2/6/2026, 12:50:31 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you’re understandably concerned about your 16-month-old's distended belly and his recent experiences with overflow diarrhea. Given that he has been diagnosed with a condition leading to a significant buildup of stool, it's important to monitor his symptoms closely, especially since his condition has slightly improved but still has some alarming elements.
Explanation
A distended and hard belly can be concerning but might be a reaction to the accumulation of stool and/or the treatment itself with Miralax (which is used to soften stool). The fact that his diarrhea has improved is a positive sign. However, the hardness and swelling of his belly may suggest that there's still a significant amount of stool that needs to pass.
Next Steps
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Continue with Miralax: Since he is on day two of Miralax, it's important to continue this as directed for the next few days unless instructed otherwise by a healthcare provider. This medication often takes a few days to produce results.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep a close eye on:
- Any changes in his belly (size, hardness).
- His ability to pass stool (particularly any solid stool).
- His overall behavior (irritability, fever, worsening symptoms).
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Hydration: Ensure that he remains well-hydrated. Offer him plenty of fluids, like water and clear broths, to help ease stool passage.
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Dietary Adjustments: If he is eating, focus on foods rich in fiber (like fruits and vegetables), but be careful as some fiber can initially worsen gas and discomfort. Avoid constipating foods like bananas or rice if he is having trouble passing stool.
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Irritability Management: Address his irritability by providing comfort and engaging him in gentle activities that may distract him.
When to Seek Immediate Attention
If his abdominal distention worsens, if he experiences severe pain, continues not passing stool for several days, develops vomiting, or shows signs of dehydration (such as reduced urination, crying without tears, extreme irritability), it may be important to seek emergency care.
Keeping a detailed record of his symptoms and behaviors will be useful if you need to consult with a healthcare provider again. Stay attentive, and if the current monitoring raises concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out for further help.
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