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Chronic Diarrhea, Pediatric

Kerri Gosselin, MD, MPH Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Chronic diarrhea is defined as stool output >200 g/24 h in children and adults, or 10 g/kg/24 h in infants, that has occurred for >30 days.

  • Should be differentiated from acute d...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Evaluation of the stool pattern, including consistency, frequency, and appearance

    • The characteristics of the onset of diarrhea should be noted as precisely as possible (e.g., congenita...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

  • Pancreatic enzymes may be used in patients with pancreatic insufficiency.

  • Luminal (nonabsorbed) antibiotics for small bowel bacterial overgrowth

ALERT
  • In certain cases in which the di...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Berni Canani R, Terrin G, Cardillo G, et al. Congenital diarrheal disorders: improved understanding of gene defects is leading to advances in intestinal physiology and clinical mana...

CODES

ICD9

787.91 Diarrhea 

ICD10

K52.9 Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, unspecified 

SNOMED

  • 236071009 Chronic diarrhea (disorder)

  • 15699003 Secretory diarrhea (disorder)

  • 17551007 Chronic diarrhea of...

FAQ

  • Q: If my infant has cow’s milk allergy, when can he have cow’s milk?

  • A: In patients with cow’s milk and/or soy allergy, rechallenge should be around 12 months of age and should be in a controlled e...

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