What are the Most Common Causes of Child Diarrhea?

Diarrhea is defined as loose, watery stools that occur three or more times in one 24-hour period, usually accompanied by abdominal cramps. Child diarrhea is very common and not serious if it clears up spontaneously within one or two days. The most common causes of child diarrhea include viruses, bacteria, food poisoning, and food sensitivities. Parasites are also a possible cause. If the diarrhea does not go away on its own within one or two days, a doctor should be consulted to determine the cause of the child diarrhea and appropriate treatments to resolve it.

If the child's diarrhea is accompanied by fever, nausea and vomiting, it may likely be the result of a virus that should run its course in one or two days. Another possibility is food poisoning, in which case the diarrhea would normally begin within a few hours of eating the offending food and clear up within 24 hours. If the diarrhea persists, and especially if it includes bloody stools, harmful bacteria such as E-coli may be the culprit. Persistent child diarrhea without bloody stools may be caused by parasites. Stool sample tests can detect the presence of bacteria or parasites.

Child diarrhea that is chronic and not caused by parasites or bacteria may result from sensitivities to certain foods or lactose intolerance. Keeping a food journal of everything the child eats or drinks can be helpful, along with noting the incidences of diarrhea and determining if the diarrhea tends to occur after eating a certain food. Many children are sensitive to the proteins in cow’s milk, and tend to suffer from abdominal cramps, bloating, gas and diarrhea after drinking cow’s milk or eating dairy products. Once these dairy foods are removed from the child’s diet, the diarrhea should stop. Children who drink a lot of juice may experience regular diarrhea, and the solution is to simply reduce the amount of juice the child drinks.

Certain medications, especially antibiotics, can cause child diarrhea that may lessen as the child adjusts to the medication. The diarrhea should stop when the medication is stopped. Chronic child diarrhea may have other causes, including bowel diseases, immune disorders or tumors. Children, and infants in particular, can become dehydrated quickly due to diarrhea, so replacing lost fluids is very important. When diarrhea persists for more than a few days, a doctor should be consulted to determine its cause and treatment.