Differential Diagnosis for Newborn Diarrhea and Vomiting
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Infectious gastroenteritis: This is the most common cause of diarrhea and vomiting in newborns, often due to viral infections such as rotavirus or norovirus, which are highly contagious and can spread quickly in hospital settings or through contact with infected family members.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Cow's milk protein allergy: An immune reaction to cow's milk protein can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting, in newborns.
- Lactose intolerance: Although rare in newborns, lactose intolerance can cause similar symptoms due to the inability to digest lactose.
- Overfeeding or underfeeding: Incorrect feeding techniques or volumes can lead to gastrointestinal upset, including diarrhea and vomiting.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Hirschsprung's disease: A congenital condition characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the colon, leading to intestinal obstruction, which can present with vomiting and diarrhea.
- Intestinal obstruction: Conditions like pyloric stenosis, intussusception, or volvulus can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea due to blockage of the intestinal tract.
- Congenital infections (e.g., CMV, toxoplasmosis): Certain congenital infections can cause gastrointestinal symptoms among other systemic signs.
- Septicemia or meningitis: Systemic infections can present with nonspecific symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, in newborns.
Rare Diagnoses
- Congenital chloride diarrhea: A rare genetic disorder leading to chronic diarrhea due to impaired chloride absorption in the intestine.
- Microvillus inclusion disease: A rare congenital disorder affecting the intestinal microvilli, leading to severe, intractable diarrhea.
- Tufting enteropathy: A rare condition characterized by chronic diarrhea due to abnormal intestinal villi formation.