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4.0 ASSESS AND CLASSIFY DIARRHOEA Diarrhoea is passage of frequent loose or watery stools. Mothers usually know when their children have diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is common in children especially in those between 6 months and 2 years of age. It is more common in children under 6 months who are drinking cow’s milk or infant feeding formulas more so if they are bottle-fed. Frequent passing of normal stool is not diarrhoea. The number of stool normally passed in a day varies with the diet and age of the child. In many regions diarrhoea is defined as 3 or more loose or watery stools in a 24 hrs period.
What are the Types of Diarrhoea Most diarrhoeas which cause dehydration are
loose or watery. If an episode of diarrhoea lasts less than 14 days, it is
acute diarrhoea. Acute watery diarrhoea causes dehydration and contributes to malnutrition. The death of a infant with acute diarrhoea is usually due to dehydration. If the diarrhoea lasts 14
days ore more, it is
persistent diarrhoea. Up to 20% of episodes of diarrhoea become persistent. Persistent diarrhoea often causes nutritional problems and contributes to deaths in children. Diarrhoea with blood in the stool, with or without mucus,
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