Toddler's diarrhoea.

Not many diagnoses in medicine become a 'diagnosis of exclusion'- which literally means ' a diagnosis that is made when all other possible causes are ruled out'. In most cases this is by a series of expensive tests and examinations, but sometimes an experienced doctor can reach this diagnosis in his office after a thorough discussion and examination. One such condition is 'Toddler's diarrhoea'.

Toddler's diarrhoea typically occurs in the age group of 1 to 4 years. The child has a long standing diarrhoea, sometimes upto 5 bowel movements per day! The stool is smelly and pale and may have undigested food particles ( which is why this condition is also known as "peas and carrots" diarrhoea). The child is well, has normal growth and apetite and is active (if not, the doctor looks for an alternate diagnosis). Laboratory investigations do not have any positive findings. It is found to be more common in boy babies.


The cause for this condition is not fully understood. Despite the presence of undigested food particles (peas and carrots!) the condition is not related to malabsorption. Key factor is considered to be rapid transit time of the child's immature intestinal system. Infact this condition has been classified under motility disorders of intestine.

Other scary names for this condition are 'Irritable bowel disease of infancy' and 'Chronic non specific diarrhoea'.

Your doctor will reassure you after checking the child's growth charts and excluding food allergy and often that is all is needed. He will suggest that you restrict fruit juices and increase fat content of the child's diet. Sometimes this condition is related to stress in the family or at school that must have to be looked in to. The condition resolves by itself by the age of 5.