Martin H. Ulshen, MD, 2016. "Diarrhea and Steatorrhea (Chapter 138)", American Academy of Pediatrics Textbook of Pediatric Care, Thomas K. McInerny, MD, FAAP, Henry M. Adam, MD, FAAP, Deborah E. Campbell, MD, FAAP, Thomas G. DeWitt, MD, FAAP, Jane Meschan Foy, MD, FAAP, Deepak M. Kamat, MD, PhD, FAAP, Rebecca Baum, MD, FAAP, Kelly J. Kelleher, MD, MPH, FAAP
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Diarrhea, similar to vomiting, is a common symptom in young children, especially during infancy. Loosely defined, diarrhea is characterized by an increase in the frequency and water content of stools. Normal daily stool volume varies with the size of the child. Adults and older children have a normal daily stool weight up to 250 g (consisting of 60%–85% water); infants weighing fewer than 10 kg can have about 5 g/kg/day of stool. An intermediate range of 50 to 75 g/day is an appropriate approximation for the preschool-aged child. In infancy, the frequency and quality of normal stools depend very much...