Acute diarrhea in children

* An acute diarrheal illness is typically defined as a duration of five days or less, but return to normal stool consistency after viral gastroenteritis, the most common etiology in resource-rich regions, may take longer. Diarrhea that has persisted beyond five days may warrant consideration of other diagnoses, especially in children who are ill-appearing, have bloody diarrhea in association with weight loss, or other findings suggesting a more serious underlying condition.

¶ More likely in older children and adolescents.