nursery diarrhea /nur′sərē/ [L, nutrix, nurse; Gk, dia, through, rhein, to flow] , diarrhea of the newborn. In nurseries outbreaks of diarrhea caused by Escherichia coli, Salmonella, echoviruses, or adenoviruses are potentially life-threatening to the infant. The neonate may be infected at the time of birth by organisms from the mother’s stool or infected later by organisms spread by the hands of hospital personnel. The most serious aspect of the disease is fluid loss, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Care includes maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance and administering antibiotics, if appropriate. Good handwashing technique, use of disposable nursing bottles and nipples, and early isolation of infected infants reduce the possibility of such outbreaks.
