By Dr. B.Anjaiah, MD., DCh., Director, RIMS, Ongole Term Diarrhoea Means To flow through like a stream. Diarrhoea: Passage of 3 (or) More loose stools/day with increased volume & fluidity (or) stool volume >15gms/Kg/day in 200gms/day in > 3 years of age. Depends on duration diarrhoea divided into: Acute watery diarrhoea: Child passes loose stools >3 loose stools/day lasting for 3-7 days. Intermediate diarrhoea: Acute onset of diarrhoea lasting for 8 14 days. Persistent diarrhoea: Starting acutely & lasting for more than 14 days. Intractable (or) protracted diarrhoea of infancy: Lasting for >14days under 1 yr. with no weight loss or weight gain. Chronic diarrhoea: > 14 days of Insidious onset, usually due to non infectious cause. Dysentry: Diarrhoea with visible blood and Mucous. EPIDEMIOLOGY Major cause of infant mortality and morbidity On average 2-3 episodes / yr. In age of 70mEq/L Stool Osm 2 x ([Na + ]+[K + ]) = 280 mOsm Does not stop with discontinued feeding Stool alkaline Osmotic Not sick looking Often stable Small or large volume, loose or watery Stool sodium