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Viral gastroenteritis in children

Last reviewed: 12 Nov 2024
Last updated: 22 Feb 2024

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • age <5 years
  • exposure to people with gastroenteritis
  • lack of immunization against rotavirus
  • vomiting
  • nonbloody diarrhea
  • hyperactive bowel sounds
Full details

Other diagnostic factors

  • abdominal pain
  • low-grade fever
  • evidence of dehydration
  • decreased body weight
  • nondistended abdomen
  • abdominal tenderness
  • mucus in stool
Full details

Risk factors

  • age <5 years
  • poor personal hygiene
  • exposure to people with gastroenteritis
  • daycare attendance
  • winter months
  • poverty
  • lack of immunization against rotavirus
  • lack of breast-feeding
  • immunodeficiency
Full details

Diagnostic tests

1st tests to order

  • clinical exam
Full details

Tests to consider

  • serum electrolytes, BUN, creatinine
  • CBC
  • blood cultures
  • stool microscopy
  • stool culture
  • enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for detection of viral antigen
  • stool electron microscopy
Full details

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

no dehydration

mild dehydration (<5%)

moderate dehydration (5% to 10%)

severe dehydration (>10%)

Contributors

Authors

Alexander K.C. Leung, MB BS, FRCPC, FRCP, FRCPCH, FAAP
Alexander K.C. Leung

Clinical Professor of Pediatrics

The University of Calgary

Calgary

Alberta

Canada

Disclosures

AKCL is an author of a guideline and a number of references cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Saul Greenberg, MD

Associate Professor

Department of Paediatrics

University of Toronto

Ontario

Canada

Disclosures

SG declares that he has no competing interests.

Y.L. Lau, MBCBhB, MD, FRCP, FRCPCH, FRCPS, FHKAM, FHKCPaed

Professor

Faculty of Medicine

University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong

Disclosures

YLL declares that he has no competing interests.

  • Viral gastroenteritis in children images
  • Differentials

    • Bacterial gastroenteritis
    • Protozoal gastroenteritis
    • Food poisoning
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • Recommended child and adolescent immunization schedule for ages 18 years or younger, United States, 2024
    • Recommendations for the use of rotavirus vaccines in infants
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Diarrhea in children

    Rotavirus vaccine

    More Patient information
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