Toddler's diarrhoea is also known as chronic nonspecific diarrhoea. Affected children develop three or more watery loose stools (bowel motions) per day. Sometimes it can be 10 or more. The stools are often more smelly and pale than usual. You can often see bits of vegetable food in the stools (such as bits of carrot, sweetcorn, etc). These have come from a recent meal. Mild tummy (abdominal) pain sometimes occurs but is unusual. Some affected children develop constipation which alternates with diarrhoea. Show A child with just toddler's diarrhoea is otherwise well, grows normally, plays normally and is usually not bothered about the diarrhoea. An examination by a doctor doesn't reveal anything abnormal. No further tests are usually needed if the child is otherwise well. Symptoms usually go, with or without treatment, by the age of 5-6 years. If your child develops diarrhoea for the first time and it persists for more than a few days, or they seem unwell or have other symptoms, it is important to see a doctor. Do not assume your child's symptoms are due to toddler's diarrhoea without a diagnosis from the doctor. See the separate leaflet called Acute Diarrhoea in Children for more information about other causes of childhood diarrhoea. The cause is not clear. The small bowel (small intestine) digests and absorbs food into the body and works normally in affected children. The large bowel (colon) normally absorbs any excess water and forms stools. It is thought that the balance of fluid, fibre, undigested sugars and other undigested foods that reach the colon may be upset in affected children. This can increase the amount of fluid (water) that is kept in the colon rather than being absorbed into the body. In young children, even a slight increase in fluid left in the colon can cause stools to become more frequent and runny than normal. As the child grows, the colon becomes more efficient and the condition goes. Toddler's diarrhoea is not due to poor absorption (malabsorption) of food or to a serious bowel problem. It is also not due to an intolerance of a type of food. Often, no treatment is needed, particularly if symptoms are mild. The child is usually not concerned. Reassurance that it will ease in time may be all that is required. However, in many cases the diarrhoea will go, or become less severe, if the child changes certain eating and drinking habits. Many toddlers develop eating and drinking habits that are not ideal and these may contribute to causing the diarrhoea. One or more of the following may be relevant. They are the '4 Fs': fat, fluid, fruit juices and fibre. Toddler's diarrhoea is more common in children who eat a low-fat diet. Although a low-fat diet is good for adults to help prevent heart disease, it is not good for young children. The diet of preschool children should have about 35-40% fat. In general, this means drinking whole milk rather than semi-skimmed or skimmed and to include foods such as yoghurts, milk puddings, cheeses and dairy products. You may find that giving a higher-fat food (whole milk yoghurt, milk pudding, ice cream, cheese) at the end of a meal can help reduce toddler's diarrhoea. Do not give children too much fruit juice or squash. Some children only drink fruit juice to quench their thirst. It is best to give water to children for most drinks and keep fruit juice as a treat. However, some children have become used to squash or juice on a regular basis and may become upset if they are suddenly denied their usual drink. In this case, if you do give your child squash or juice, make sure that it is very well diluted. And then, aim to increase the dilution gradually over time. Too much juice or squash is not good for the following reasons:
Some toddlers get into the habit of drinking almost constantly. This is often for comfort rather than because they are thirsty. While children do need plenty of fluids, more than 5-8 drinks a day can contribute to toddler's diarrhoea, even if they are drinking water. It may be worth considering limiting drinks to meal and snack times. Changing the fibre content of the diet may be helpful, as very low- or high-fibre intakes may make symptoms worse in some children. Fibre (roughage) is the part of plant food that is not digested. It stays in the gut and is passed in the stools (faeces). Fibre is present in many foods, in particular in fruit, wholemeal bread and vegetables. Fibre has an action a bit like blotting paper and absorbs water in the bowel. So, if your child has a low-fibre diet, it may help to increase the fibre in the diet to normal levels. This is simply achieved by eating a healthy balanced diet that includes some fruit and vegetables. However, a high-fibre diet may make things worse, as too much fibre can cause loose stools, especially in toddlers. It is important that your child has a balanced diet with plenty of vegetables and fruit, but some are more likely to cause toddler's diarrhoea than others. Foods to consider reducing if your child has toddler's diarrhoea include:
Diarrhea is when stools (bowel movements) are loose and watery. Your child may also need to go to the bathroom more often. Diarrhea is a common problem. It may last 1 or 2 days and go away on its own. If diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, your child may have a more serious problem. Diarrhea may be either:
What causes diarrhea?Diarrhea may be caused by many things, including:
Children who visit some foreign countries are at risk for traveler's diarrhea. This is caused by having food or water that is not safe because of bacteria, viruses, or parasites. Severe diarrhea may mean a child has a serious disease. Talk with your child's healthcare provider if symptoms don’t go away. Also talk with the provider if symptoms stop your child from doing daily activities. It may be hard to find out what is causing your child’s diarrhea. What are the symptoms of diarrhea?Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:
The symptoms of diarrhea may look like other health problems. Severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious disease. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. How is diarrhea diagnosed?The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. Your child may have lab tests to check blood and urine. Other tests may include:
How is diarrhea treated?Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Dehydration is the major concern with diarrhea. In most cases, treatment includes replacing lost fluids. Antibiotics may be prescribed when bacterial infections are the cause. Children should drink lots of fluids. This helps replace the lost body fluids. If your child is dehydrated, be sure to:
What are the complications of diarrhea?The greatest complication of diarrhea is dehydration. This is more likely with young children and those with a weakened immune system. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild dehydration is the loss of fluid. Moderate or severe dehydration puts stress on the heart and lungs. In the worst cases it can lead to shock, which is life-threatening.What can I do to prevent diarrhea?Proper handwashing can reduce the spread of bacteria that may cause diarrhea. A rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea caused by rotaviruses. Ask your child's healthcare provider which vaccines are right for your child. When you travel, make sure anything your child eats and drinks is safe. This is even more important if you travel to developing countries. Travel safety tips for drinking and eating include:
Talk with your child's healthcare provider before traveling. When should I call my child's healthcare provider?Call your child's provider if your child is less than 6 months old or has any of the following symptoms:
Key points about diarrhea
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s health care provider:
#TomorrowsDiscoveries: Imbalances of salt and water in the body can lead to problems ranging from cystic fibrosis to diarrhea to kidney failure. Dr. Guggino and his team study the channels that move salt and water– and what goes wrong with them in disease. |