Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr.  2012 Dec;15(4):229-236.

How to Do in Persistent Diarrhea of Children?: Concepts and Treatments of Chronic Diarrhea

• Lee KS
• Kang DS
• Yu J
• Chang YP
• Park WS

Abstract

Chronic diarrhea is defined as passing watery stools that lasts for more than 2 weeks. Persistent diarrhea belongs to chronic diarrhea and is a chronic episode of diarrhea of infectious etiology. The etiology of chronic diarrhea is varied. It is important to consider the child's age and clinical manifestations with alarm signals for an application of proper treatments to children with chronic diarrhea. Vicious cycle is present in chronic diarrhea and nutritional rehabilitation can break the vicious cycle of chronic diarrhea and is one of the main one thing among treatments. We should know the exact concept of chronic diarrhea and provide appropriate treatments according to etiologies of chronic diarrhea.

Keyword

Chronic diarrhea; Child; Nutrition

MeSH Terms

Child
Diarrhea
Humans

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Etiologies of persistent diarrhea according to its pathophysiology. SCID: severe combined immunodeficiency. Adapted from Walker's pediatric gastrointestinal disease: physiology, diagnosis, management. 5th ed. Hamilton: BC Decker Inc., 2008:265-339 [10].

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  Fig. 2 Diagnostic algorithm in onset of neonatal severe diarrhea. CGD: chronic granulomatous disease, CHO: carbohydrate, IPEX: immunodysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, and X-linked syndrome. Adapted from Walker's pediatric gastrointestinal disease: physiology, diagnosis, management. 5th ed. Hamilton: BC Decker Inc., 2008:265-339 [10].

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  Fig. 3 The vicious cycle in chronic diarrhea.

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  Fig. 4 The algorithm for managements of chronic diarrhea. ORS: oral rehydration solution.

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  Fig. 5 The algorithm for managements of chronic diarrhea.

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