Approach to the pediatric patient with diarrhea.

Numerous viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens are known to cause diarrheal illnesses with increased frequency in children. Oral rehydration can be used to treat and prevent dehydration, the major sequela of diarrhea in children. The impact of diarrhea on nutrition may also be reduced through the rapid restoration of a normal, age-appropriate diet. Most diarrheal illnesses are acute and self-limited; however, increased knowledge of persistent diarrheal syndromes in children may lead to prompt recognition and diagnosis in children with diarrhea lasting more than 2 weeks.