| Abstract: | In an attempt to demonstrate an association between chronic nonspecific diarrhea and behavioral problems in young children, structured interviews were conducted to elicit from parents a detailed history of behavior from birth. Problems relating to sleep, crying and irritability, digestion (excluding diarrhea), activity, and discipline were significantly more frequent or severe in the group of 16 youngsters with chronic nonspecific diarrhea than in the control group of children with no symptoms of this disorder. Also more common in the index group were a definite family history of gastrointestinal problems and the presence of certain specific emotional responses. |
