Children's diarrhea is divided into two major categories.

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

Updated on March 27, 2025

00:00

00:00

Childhood diarrhea is categorized into infectious and non-infectious diarrhea. Common infectious diarrhea is caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Non-infectious diarrhea often includes allergic diarrhea, diarrhea caused by food intolerance, and diarrhea due to lactose intolerance. Less commonly, some malignant diseases can cause gastrointestinal dysfunction leading to diarrhea. Among children, infectious diarrhea is more prevalent, especially viral diarrhea caused by rotavirus during the summer and autumn seasons. Additionally, bacterial infections such as those caused by Escherichia coli and Shigella (bacterial dysentery), often related to poor hand hygiene, are examples of infectious diarrhea.

Other Voices

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

48sec

home-news-image

Children's diarrhea is divided into two major categories.

Childhood diarrhea is categorized into infectious and non-infectious diarrhea. Common infectious diarrhea is caused by infections from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Non-infectious diarrhea often includes allergic diarrhea, diarrhea caused by food intolerance, and diarrhea due to lactose intolerance. Less commonly, some malignant diseases can cause gastrointestinal dysfunction leading to diarrhea. Among children, infectious diarrhea is more prevalent, especially viral diarrhea caused by rotavirus during the summer and autumn seasons. Additionally, bacterial infections such as those caused by Escherichia coli and Shigella (bacterial dysentery), often related to poor hand hygiene, are examples of infectious diarrhea.

home-news-image

Written by Yao Li Qin

Pediatrics

1min 27sec

home-news-image

There are several types of childhood diarrhea.

If there is a change in frequency and characteristics of a child’s stool compared to usual, it could indicate the occurrence of diarrhea. Diarrhea can be classified into: 1. Acute diarrhea, which lasts for up to two weeks. 2. Persistent diarrhea, lasting between two weeks and two months. 3. Chronic diarrhea, lasting for more than two months. Based on the severity, it can be divided into: 1. Mild, generally without dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, or acid-base imbalances. 2. Moderate, accompanied by mild to moderate dehydration, or mild electrolyte disturbance. More severe cases involve severe dehydration and obvious symptoms of acid-base imbalance. Symptoms in children include lethargy, irritability, drowsiness, pale complexion, no fever, and a significant increase in white blood cell count. Causes of diarrhea can be divided into: infectious diarrhea, caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc., and non-infectious diarrhea, including foodborne diarrhea, symptomatic diarrhea, allergic diarrhea, and other types of diarrhea.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

35sec

home-news-image

What medicine should a child take for indigestion and diarrhea?

For childhood indigestion and diarrhea, one can initially use intestinal probiotics to modulate the gut flora, such as Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus. Additionally, zinc supplementation can be provided to promote the repair of the gastrointestinal mucosa. Another option is to administer Smecta to protect the gastrointestinal mucosa. Digestive medications can also be given, such as Chinese medicinal herbs like hawthorn, Shenqu, and malt to aid digestion. Furthermore, it is important to ensure the diet consists of easily digestible foods.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

52sec

home-news-image

What's causing a child's diarrhea and vomiting?

When a child has diarrhea accompanied by vomiting, we first consider the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis. In this situation, we need to analyze the cause. The most common cause is often rotavirus infection. Rotavirus is a self-limiting disease, and treatment is primarily symptomatic, focusing on fluid replenishment to maintain electrolyte balance. It is also important to pay attention to the baby's mental state, responsiveness, and urination. Additionally, we need to be cautious of vomiting and diarrhea caused by intestinal bacterial infections, such as food poisoning, which can present similar symptoms. If a bacterial infection is suspected, we must promptly administer sensitive antibiotics for the infection treatment, while also focusing on symptomatic treatments such as fluid and electrolyte replenishment.

home-news-image

Written by Yan Xin Liang

Pediatrics

1min 20sec

home-news-image

Clinical manifestations of pediatric diarrhea

Childhood diarrhea is caused by a variety of pathogens and factors, characterized primarily by diarrhea. Key features include increased stool frequency and changes in stool characteristics, possibly accompanied by fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and varying degrees of electrolyte and acid-base imbalances. The pathogens involved can be viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, etc. Additionally, factors like the misuse of antibiotics leading to intestinal flora imbalance, improper feeding, and getting chilled can also cause it. Symptoms can vary from mild to severe diarrhea. Generally, mild diarrhea primarily involves gastrointestinal symptoms and may accompany vomiting or poor appetite, with increased stool frequency and changes in stool characteristics, but no significant dehydration or systemic acidosis, usually recovering within a few days. Severe diarrhea is often an acute condition that can develop from mild diarrhea, presenting more severe gastrointestinal symptoms as well as noticeable dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and systemic toxicity symptoms such as fever, lethargy, drowsiness, and shock.