Primary bile acid malabsorption, a gut defect in the reabsorption of bile acids in the small intestine which results in increased levels of bile acids in the colon leading to watery diarrhea and bloating. Chronic infection of C. difficile, G. lamblia
C. difficile - bacteria that can be the source of diarrhea. G. lamblia - a parasite that can be the source diarrhea.From 1–12 months, typical causes of chronic diarrhea are the following:

Acrodermatitis enteropathica, a condition in which the intestine cannot absorb zinc. Cystic fibrosis, a condition caused by a genetic mutation that can lead to injury to the bodys organs including the lungs and those in the digestive system. Apple juice and pear nectar, the digestive tract of children have difficulty absorbing significant quantities of sugars and carbohydrates which certain fruit juices can have. Celiac Disease, a disorder in which there is an immune response to eating gluten which can eventually cause damage to the small intestine over time and impedes absorption. Food allergy.Most instances of chronic diarrhea in infancy are caused by infectious and post infectious disease of the intestine as well as food sensitivities or allergies. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of toddlers diarrhea involves the evaluation of history of present illness, any relevant past medical history, and physical examination to determine any causative factors to inform treatment regimens and further recommendations.Evaluation of history of present illness includes:
Stool characterization (i.e. appearance, consistency, frequency, etc.) Time frame and duration (important for differentiation between acute and chronic diarrhea)
Food/drink allergies or restrictions (e.g. lactose intolerance)
Medications, especially antibiotics
Infection exposure (e.g.
It is estimated that Africa and South Asia comprise more than 80% of deaths from diarrhea in children. In fact, about 75% of the childhood deaths from diarrhea come from only 15 countries. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the proportion of deaths attributable to diarrheal illness among children less than 5 years of age was 13.2% in 2002. Half of these childhood deaths were due to chronic diarrheal causes.Worldwide, studies estimate that diarrheal illness affects 3 to 20% of children under the age of 5 with an incidence of 2.7 episodes of diarrhea per child-year. Developing nations experience higher burden of disease and mortality from chronic diarrhea in children compared to developed nations. In the United States, it is reported that 15 to 20% of young children have an episode of acute diarrhea each year. Compared to worldwide estimates, the United States has a lower incidence rate of chronic diarrhea in young children reported at 0.18 episodes per child year. In pediatrics, diarrhea is a common complaint making up 9% of U.S. hospital visits for children less than 5 years old. In contrast to resource-poor nations, resource-rich nations such as the United States experience less chronic diarrhea severity. In the United States, approximately a quarter of chronic diarrhea cases in young children seek medical care and less than 1% of cases are hospitalized. == References ==