Diarrhea is a sudden increase in the number and looseness of bowel movements. Mild diarrhea is the passage of a few loose or mushy stools.
Moderate diarrhea gives many watery stools.
The main complication of diarrhea is dehydration from too much loss of body fluids. Symptoms are dry mouth, the absence of tears, a reduction in the amount of urine, and increasing sluggishness in the child. The usual cause of diarrhea in children is a viral infection of the intestines, called gastroenteritis. It can also be caused by bacteria or parasites or other rare causes. If any of these occur, you will probably be asked to bring your child to see the doctor and the doctor will go over special care for the sicker child with diarrhea.