Children can experience both acute and chronic diarrhea, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Diarrhea lasting longer than 14 days is chronic, as KeepKidsHealthy.com explains, a pediatrician's guide designed by Vincent Iannelli, MD, FAAP. The site adds that a visit to a pediatric gastroenterologist might be necessary for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Toddler's Diarrhea
Toddler's diarrhea is a common condition in children between the ages of 6 months and three years old. Its only symptoms are loose, watery stools, and although these children have chronic diarrhea, they have a normal appetite. Children with this condition typically drink too much juice. If this is the case, the doctor may suggest decreasing fluid intake and switching to juices with a lower fructose (corn syrup) content such as orange or grape juice. Reducing the fat and fiber in their diets may also help, according to KeepKidsHealthy.com.
Malabsorption
Malabsorption is a condition resulting large, foul-smelling stools that may appear greasy. These can lead to weight loss or poor weight gain along with stomach distension. A number of health conditions cause malabsorption, thus resulting in chronic diarrhea. These include cystic fibrosis and celiac disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome is a common disorder affecting the intestines. Children with this disorder either experience constipation or chronic diarrhea. Those with chronic diarrhea not only have loose stools but also have an urgent need to move their bowels. An exact cause is not known, but stress may make the symptoms worse. Certain foods and medications may cause the intestines to spasm as well, resulting in chronic diarrhea.
Intolerance to Lactose
Some children are intolerant to lactose, a sugar found in milk and milk products, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Most people produce the lactase enzyme, which breaks down lactose into two simpler sugars, allowing the bloodstream to absorb them. When people are deficient in this enzyme, this breakdown does not occur, and they are unable to tolerate foods with lactose.
Some children with this condition cannot tolerate any dairy products without experiencing chronic diarrhea, but others can consume certain foods such yogurt if they consume a lactase supplement. Children who are unable to drink cows' milk should drink soy milk for nutritional value, as KeepKidsHealthy recommends.
