The irritable colon of childhood (chronicnonspecific diarrhea syndrome)

Abstract

Case histories of 186 children in whom the diagnosis of chronic nonspecific diarrhea had been made were examined retrospectively. In 90 per cent, despite management without medication or dietary restrictions, diarrhea disappeared by 39 months of age. Between the initial visit and clearing of symptoms the children did no worse, and frequently better, than with various treatments with drugs or restrictive dietary regimens. Limited numbers of laboratory studies, the clinical pattern and character of stools, and the normal growth and development of the children indicate that this benign condition is not caused by gastrointestinal infection nor is it a form of malabsorption. The relationship between this condition and the irritable colon syndrome seen in adults is discussed. Case histories of 186 children in whom the diagnosis of chronic nonspecific diarrhea had been made were examined retrospectively. In 90 per cent, despite management without medication or dietary restrictions, diarrhea disappeared by 39 months of age. Between the initial visit and clearing of symptoms the children did no worse, and frequently better, than with various treatments with drugs or restrictive dietary regimens. Limited numbers of laboratory studies, the clinical pattern and character of stools, and the normal growth and development of the children indicate that this benign condition is not caused by gastrointestinal infection nor is it a form of malabsorption. The relationship between this condition and the irritable colon syndrome seen in adults is discussed.