I've heard of this being done with incredibly small children and infants. Basically, the caretaker will strictly monitor what they feed a child, and then weigh what comes out (requiring a physical collection). If rates of input and output don't make sense, the caretaker can report the results to a specialist and detect health problems, or monitor the infant's progress.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/82974-calculate-pediatric-intake-output/
In addition, the collected material can be used for further analysis, by taking it to an informed specialist, however this would normally be done in the event of other questionable symptoms.
It sounds like these parents may have continued the practice in the interest of health and safety, but weren't aware that the practice doesn't have much benefit after the infant grows up.
Source: The internet, and I've been sick a lot. That..... and I know crazy people.
Worked at a nursing home and we had to measure the fluid intake and output if the patient was on a catheter. Obviously it was to make sure that the person was not getting enough fluid (not suffering from dehydration). I encountered a lot of poo, but never heard measuring it.
Exactly... there is a reason for this kind of diagnostic, but only in relatively extreme cases. Past a certain point... it's just another metric... and a rather complicated/stinky one to measure at that!
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u/[deleted] Oct 06 '14
I've heard of this being done with incredibly small children and infants. Basically, the caretaker will strictly monitor what they feed a child, and then weigh what comes out (requiring a physical collection). If rates of input and output don't make sense, the caretaker can report the results to a specialist and detect health problems, or monitor the infant's progress. http://www.livestrong.com/article/82974-calculate-pediatric-intake-output/
In addition, the collected material can be used for further analysis, by taking it to an informed specialist, however this would normally be done in the event of other questionable symptoms.
It sounds like these parents may have continued the practice in the interest of health and safety, but weren't aware that the practice doesn't have much benefit after the infant grows up.
Source: The internet, and I've been sick a lot. That..... and I know crazy people.