Toddler diarrhoea

aka chronic non-specific diarrhoea
commonest cause of persistent loose stools in preschool kids
clinical features
1. stools
  1. varying consistency
    1. sometimes well-formed
    2. sometimes explosive & loose
  2. undigested vegetables present
    1. hence other name peas & carrots diarrhoea
2. affected children are well and thriving
3. no precipitating dietary factors
theory
1. underlying maturational delay in intestinal motility
  1. -> intestinal hurry
2. loose stools not due to malabsorption
most children grow out of sx by 5 yrs old
1. but achieving faecal continence may be delayed
Mx
1. symptomatic relief
  1. ensure adequate fat & fibre in diet
    1. slow gut transit
2. avoid exacerbators of sx
  1. excessive consumption of fresh fruit juice
    1. esp those high in non-absorbable sorbitol

Resource summary

	Created by v.djabatey over 10 years ago