Chronic diarrhea is defined as diarrhea that lasts for two weeks, the information website KeepKidsHealthy.com reports. It often occurs in childhood. Infection, allergies and malabsorptive diseases can all cause chronic diarrhea in children. Chronic diarrhea can lead to dehydration and hospitalization. The treatment for chronic diarrhea involves finding and treating the cause. Dietary modifications, vitamin and mineral supplementation and medications aimed at decreasing diarrhea may all be required.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis, an inherited disease that affects around 1,000 newborns each year, leads to malabsorption due to blockage of the pancreatic ducts with thick mucus, according to Lab Tests Online. Chronic diarrhea is accompanied by large, greasy foul smelling stools caused by the body's inability to break down and absorb proteins and fats. Supplementation with oral pancreatic enzymes and fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K and a low fat, high protein diet help children better absorb fats and proteins, which decreases diarrhea.
Lactose Intolerance
The enzyme lactase, made in the small intestine, breaks down lactose, one of the sugars found in milk. Babies, who universally drink milk, make lactose; lactose intolerance symptoms don't usually occur until after age 2 in African-Americans and after age 5 in Caucasians, according to MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health. As a child ages, a lack of lactase, called lactose intolerance, becomes more common, especially in non-Caucasian populations. Around 30 million adults in the United States are lactose intolerant.
Removing milk from the diet altogether or giving only small amounts at a time, up to 1/2 cup, helps decrease chronic diarrhea caused by lactose intolerance. Substituting goat's milk, buttermilk, soy milk or lactose free milk benefits most children with lactose intolerance.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is caused by an inability to digest gluten, found in many wheat, barley or rye products. Celiac disease leads to malabsorption of nutrients and malnutrition as well as chronic diarrhea, in some cases, MayoClinic.com states. Bone loss from poor calcium absorption may develop. Removing gluten from the diets allows inflammation in the intestines to heal. Almost all grains and many processed foods contain gluten.
Toddler Diarrhea
Toddler diarrhea, called chronic diarrhea of infancy in babies and irritable bowel syndrome in older children and adults, affects children between ages 6 months and 30 months, the University of Chicago states. Children with toddler diarrhea grow normally, in most cases, and appear well. Toddler diarrhea normally disappears by age 4. Treatment consists of decreasing fruit juice intake and fluid and increasing fat intake and fiber. Toddler diarrhea requires no medications, although parents may require reassurance that toddler diarrhea has no long lasting effects and does not indicate serious illness in the child.
