BMJ  2008;336:1010-1015 (3 May), doi:10.1136/bmj.39542.440417.BE

Clinical Review

Management of bloody diarrhoea in children in primary care

M Stephen Murphy, senior lecturer in paediatrics and child health, consultant paediatric gastroenterologist1,2

1 Division of Reproductive and Child Health, Medical School, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, 2 Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B4 6NH

m.s.murphy@bham.ac.uk

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Bloody diarrhoea is an uncommon symptom in children, and it may indicate the presence of serious disease. This review focuses on children presenting in a primary care setting. The non-specialist should be aware of the likely causes, initial management, and indications for specialist referral. The emphasis is on children in the developed world, although traveller’s diarrhoea is also considered. The epidemiology and management of this condition are different in the developing world, where infectious causes predominate. In recent years the reported incidence of inflammatory bowel disease increased greatly in the developed world and important advances have been made in its management. This diagnosis should always be considered carefully.


I used the Medline database to search for evidence from the literature. Randomised controlled trials, meta-analyses, and Cochrane reviews were used when relevant and available. Other sources of evidence included large case series and cohort studies. I obtained information on the incidence . . . [Full text of this article]


Common causes
Less common or rare causes
Common causes
Less common or rare causes
Resources for healthcare professionals
Resources for parents

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This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Pollock, K. G. J., Stewart, A., Beattie, T. J., Todd, W. T. A., Ahn, C. K., Tarr, P. I., Cowden, J. M. (2009). From diarrhoea to haemolytic uraemic syndrome - when to seek advice. J Med Microbiol 58: 397-398 [Full text]  
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