Differential Diagnosis for 7yo F with Stomach Ache and Diarrhea
- Single most likely diagnosis:
- Viral Gastroenteritis: This is the most likely diagnosis given the patient's symptoms of stomach ache and frequent diarrhea, which are common presentations of viral gastroenteritis in children. The lack of relief with Pepto and probiotics also supports this diagnosis, as these treatments may not be effective against viral infections.
- Other Likely diagnoses:
- Bacterial Gastroenteritis: Although less common than viral gastroenteritis, bacterial infections can also cause stomach ache and diarrhea in children. The patient's symptoms and lack of response to treatment could be consistent with a bacterial infection.
- Food Poisoning: Food poisoning is another possible cause of the patient's symptoms, especially if she recently consumed contaminated or spoiled food.
- Lactose Intolerance or other dietary intolerances: The patient's diarrhea could be related to a dietary intolerance, which may be exacerbated by certain foods or substances.
- Do Not Miss diagnoses:
- Appendicitis: Although less common in children, appendicitis can present with stomach ache and diarrhea, and is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention.
- Intussusception: This is a condition where a portion of the intestine telescopes into another portion, causing bowel obstruction and potentially life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): While less common in children, IBD (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) can cause chronic diarrhea and stomach ache, and requires prompt medical attention to prevent complications.
- Rare diagnoses:
- Giardiasis: This is a parasitic infection that can cause diarrhea and stomach ache, although it is less common in children.
- Celiac Disease: This is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune system to react to gluten, leading to diarrhea and stomach ache, although it is relatively rare in children.
- Other rare infections (e.g. Clostridioides difficile, Salmonella, Shigella): These infections can cause diarrhea and stomach ache, although they are less common in children and often require specific risk factors or exposures.