Yes, it is one of the commonest problems in childhood throughout the world.
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Home > Diagnosis and causes of diarrhoea
Category: Diagnosis and causes of diarrhoea
What is diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea (or diarrhoeal disease) is defined as the passage of frequent, loose, watery stools at least 3 times a day. Diarrhoea is not a single condition but simply a clinical sign, which has many different causes. With diarrhoea excessive amounts of water and electrolytes (salts such as sodium and potassium) are lost into the stool.
Which infants are at greatest risk of dying from diarrhoea?
Infants under 6 months of age Malnourished infants Children with AIDS
Is diarrhoea common in children with HIV infection?
Yes, diarrhoea is common and may be the presenting sign in children with HIV infection. In children with HIV infection, diarrhoea is not only more frequent but also more severe and takes longer to recover. Diarrhoea is often persistent in children with HIV infection and is a common cause of death.
What is the relationship between diarrhoea and malnutrition?
Diarrhoea is commoner and more severe in children with malnutrition (i.e. undernutrition). Therefore malnourished children often have persistent or repeated diarrhoea. In addition, malnourished children are more likely to develop severe diarrhoea and die from it. There is therefore a close relationship between diarrhoea and malnutrition. Diarrhoea is both common and more severe in children [...]
What is persistent diarrhoea?
Diarrhoea usually recovers within 7 days. However, if diarrhoea does not recover by 2 weeks (14 days), it is called persistent (prolonged or chronic) diarrhoea. Persistent diarrhoea is common in malnourished children and children with HIV infection. Diarrhoea for more than 14 days is persistent diarrhoea.
What is acute diarrhoea?
Acute diarrhoea is watery diarrhoea which lasts less than 2 weeks (14 days). Acute diarrhoea is usually due to gastroenteritis (an acute infection of the bowel). Often the term gastroenteritis and acute diarrhoea are used interchangeably. However, acute diarrhoea is not always caused by an infection of the bowel but can also result from an [...]
What is gastroenteritis?
Gastroenteritis (or acute diarrhoeal disease) is an acute infection of the bowel resulting in watery diarrhoea without visible blood or mucus in the stool. It is caused by a wide range of organisms which interfere with the normal functioning of the cells that line the bowel wall, resulting in loss of water and electrolytes into [...]
What food intolerances cause diarrhoea?
Carbohydrate intolerance especially lactose intolerance. Protein intolerance especially cow’s milk protein intolerance. Both lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein intolerance usually cause persistent diarrhoea following earlier damage to the bowel caused by gastroenteritis. Diarrhoea due to carbohydrate induced intolerance may be caused by the excessive intake of fruit juice especially apple juice (fructose intolerance).
What infections cause diarrhoea?
Infections of the bowel: Viruses, such as Rota virus and measles. Rota virus is the commonest cause of diarrhoea in children. Bacteria, such as E. coli (Eschericia coli), Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter and Cholera. Protozoa (small one-celled organisms), such as Giardia, Amoeba and Cryptosporidium. Infections outside the bowel: Children with bacterial infections, such as otitis media, [...]
What are the common causes of diarrhoea?
The 2 commonest causes of diarrhoea are: Gastroentestinal infections Food allergy or intolerance Less common causes of diarrhoea include food poisoning (bacterial toxins), a side effect of antibiotics (bacterial overgrowth), some drugs which increase gut motility, coeliac disease and cystic fibrosis (malabsorption).
Can diarrhoea be dangerous?
Yes. Diarrhoea can be life threatening if it is severe. Diarrhoea causes a loss of fluid and electrolytes in the stool, which can result in dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The correct management of diarrhoea is important as diarrhoea is one of the leading causes of death in children, especially in poor countries. Each year about [...]
What is typhoid?
Some bacteria which cause diarrhoea, can invade the bowel wall and spread into the blood stream resulting in septicaemia. Septicaemia usually complicates diarrhoea with infections caused by Salmonella, Shigella and Campylobacter. Septicaemia is commoner in dysentery than in watery diarrhoea. Typhoid is a septicaemia caused by a bowel infection with Salmonella typhi. These children are [...]
What is dysentery?
Dysentery is a form of diarrhoea where the stool is not simply watery, but also contains visible blood and mucus. Dysentery is usually caused by organisms which invade and damage the bowel wall. These children usually look ill (toxic) and have a high temperature. Dysentery is usually caused by Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Amoeba and some [...]
What is cholera?
Cholera is a severe, highly infectious form of watery diarrhoea which is common in undeveloped countries. Cholera occurs in epidemics as has happened in some areas of South Africa in recent years. It is caused by a bowel infection with Vibrio cholerae. The stools in cholera as typically watery with small pieces (flecks) of mucus [...]
