ToolsCalculators
Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria for Infant Functional Diarrhea
Symptom-based diagnosis of chronic nonspecific diarrhea in a thriving young child.
Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria for Infant Functional Diarrhea
Daily, painless, recurrent passage of ≥4 large, unformed stools
Duration of at least 4 weeks
Symptom onset between 6 and 60 months of age
No failure to thrive if caloric intake is adequate
ResultCriteria not met
Does not meet Rome IV criteria for infant functional diarrhea; evaluate for infection, malabsorption, food protein intolerance, or another organic cause.
When to use
- Well-appearing child aged 6-60 months with chronic loose stools and normal growth, to support a functional diagnosis over an extensive workup.
Formula
Diagnosis requires all of: daily painless passage of ≥4 large, unformed stools; duration ≥4 weeks; onset between 6 and 60 months of age; no failure to thrive when caloric intake is adequate.
Pearls and pitfalls
- Excess fruit juice/sorbitol intake and a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet are common contributors and a first-line target for management.