How common is diarrhea in children?
Diarrhea in children is extremely common.
In children, a type of virus called a rotavirus causes most cases of diarrhea. Nearly all children catch this virus by the time they are 5 years old.
About 1 child in 78 will be admitted to the hospital because of diarrhea.1
Sources for the information on this page:
This information was last updated in Nov 12, 2007
![]() |
This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved. |











