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Diarrhea, Pediatric

Kerri Gosselin, MD, MPH Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Diarrhea is an increase in frequency, volume, or fluidity of a patient’s stool as compared to the normal bowel movement pattern.

  • On the basis of its duration, diarrhea can be classifi...

DIAGNOSIS

Approach to patient 
  • The first step in the clinical appraisal of the patient with diarrhea is to identify what the patient “means” by diarrhea; exclude the possibility of fecal impaction with...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • The key elements in treatment of diarrhea are as follows: (i) correction of hydration, (ii) correction of electrolytes, and (iii) specific treatment of underlying cause when ...

ONGOING CARE

DIET

  • Breastfeeding should continue during episodes of gastroenteritis, as it promotes mucosal healing.

  • A regular diet should be resumed as soon as possible. Dietary limitations are not indi...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Aomatsu T, Yoden A, Matsumoto K, et al. Fecal calprotectin is a useful marker for disease activity in pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Dig Dis Sci.  2011;56(...

CODES

ICD9

  • 787.91 Diarrhea

  • 558.9 Other and unspecified noninfectious gastroenteritis and colitis

  • 009.2 Infectious diarrhea

ICD10

  • R19.7 Diarrhea, unspecified

  • K52.9 Noninfective gastroenteritis and colitis, u...

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