Differential Diagnosis for Acute Onset Vomiting and Diarrhea in a 2-Year-7-Month-Old Male
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral Gastroenteritis: This is the most likely diagnosis given the acute onset of vomiting and diarrhea, especially after consuming food from a restaurant. Viral gastroenteritis is highly contagious and common in children, often caused by norovirus or rotavirus.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Food Poisoning: The symptoms began shortly after eating at McDonald's, suggesting possible food poisoning from contaminated food. Common pathogens include Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus aureus.
- Bacterial Gastroenteritis: Similar to viral gastroenteritis but caused by bacteria. The symptoms and recent food consumption make this a plausible diagnosis.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Intussusception: Although less common, intussusception is a serious condition where a part of the intestine slides into another, causing bowel obstruction. It can present with vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, making it crucial not to miss.
- Appendicitis: Appendicitis can present with vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Although less common in this age group, it's a critical diagnosis not to miss due to the risk of perforation.
- Botulism: While rare, botulism can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, including vomiting and diarrhea, along with neurological symptoms like weakness and paralysis.
Rare Diagnoses
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are rare in young children and typically present with chronic symptoms rather than acute onset.
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune reaction to gluten, which can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. However, the acute onset in this case makes it less likely.
- Toxic Ingestion: Accidental ingestion of a toxic substance could cause gastrointestinal symptoms, but there's no indication of this in the provided history.