Protracted diarrhea in infancy.

The syndrome of protracted diarrhea in infancy, characterised by the passage of at least 4 loose stools a day for more than 2 weeks in an infant younger than 3 months showing a continuous loss of weight or failing to gain has been universally recognized as a severe and debilitating disorder necessitating prolonged hospitalisation. A systematic diagnostic and therapeutic approach is proposed in the light of a 4 years clinical experience at the Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam.