Chronic Diarrhea, Non-Specific of Childhood

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General Information

DEFINITION - Chronic diarrhea (more than 5 watery or loose stools a day) in a healthy child.

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BODY PARTS INVOLVED - Colon.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED - Young children (1-1/2 to 3-1/2 years).

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Frequent, loose stools that often contain undigested vegetable fibers or mucus and occur primarily during the morning.
• Occasional irritation of the anal area caused by frequency of bowel movements.

CAUSES - Unknown.

RISK INCREASES WITH - Family history of intestinal problems.

HOW TO PREVENT - Cannot be prevented at present.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.
• Laboratory stool studies.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Doctor's treatment.
• Home care after diagnosis.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS - Possible psychological fixation on bowel function because of excessive parental attention to bowel habits.

PROBABLE OUTCOME - Despite the chronic diarrhea, affected children develop normally and show no signs of malnutrition. The frequent stools have no special significance. Bowel movements eventually become normal, but it may take 2 to 3 years.

How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES - Don't blame or criticize your child for this problem. Don't expect toilet training to be successful as soon as with other children. Treat your child as normal and try to ignore the problem. Avoid tension. If the child becomes anxious about diarrhea, the problem may become worse or psychological problems may arise.

MEDICATION - Medicine usually is not necessary for this disorder. Don't give your child any non-prescription antidiarrheal drugs. Side effects may be harmful.

ACTIVITY - No restrictions. Insist on full normal activity for your child's age group.

DIET

• No special diet, but vitamin and mineral supplements may be helpful.
• The child should drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid each day to replace fluid lost in stools.

Call Your Doctor If

• Your child has chronic diarrhea or stools with mucus that haven't been diagnosed.
• There is blood in the stool.
• Your child's rectal temperature is 102F (38.9C) or higher.
• Your child becomes listless, refuses to eat or cries loudly and persistently, even when picked up.
• Your child's growth and development are not normal.

From the Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1995 The Putnam Berkley Group, Inc.; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.