Single Best Answer (SBA) · Diarrhoea and Dehydration in Children
How is diarrhoea best defined in a child, and which feature matters most?
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Three or more loose or watery stools a day, consistency mattering most
Definition of diarrhoea in children
Diarrhoea is an increase in stool frequency and/or fluid content - commonly defined as three or more loose or watery stools per day in older children (or a stool volume of more than ~10 g/kg/day in infants). Importantly, stool consistency matters more than frequency.
Why consistency over frequency
- Breastfed infants normally pass frequent soft stools; it is the change to loose/watery consistency that signals diarrhoea.
Classification by duration/type
| Type | Feature |
|---|---|
| Acute watery | Lasts hours to days (e.g. viral) |
| Acute bloody (dysentery) | Blood in stool (e.g. Shigella) |
| Persistent | Loose/watery stools >= 14 days |
Clinical relevance
The main dangers of diarrhoea are dehydration, severe systemic infection, malnutrition and vitamin/mineral deficiency, so accurate recognition guides hydration and feeding.
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