Differential Diagnosis for Newborn with Sleeping and Feeding Difficulties, Vomiting, and Diarrhea
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This condition is common in newborns and can cause vomiting, feeding difficulties, and sleeping problems due to discomfort and pain associated with reflux.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Infectious gastroenteritis: Viral or bacterial infections can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and subsequent feeding difficulties and sleep disturbances in newborns.
- Lactose intolerance or cow's milk protein allergy: These conditions can cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, leading to feeding difficulties and sleep issues.
- Overfeeding or underfeeding: Improper feeding techniques or volumes can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, and feeding difficulties, affecting the newborn's sleep.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Congenital intestinal obstruction (e.g., pyloric stenosis, intestinal atresia): These conditions require prompt surgical intervention and can present with vomiting and feeding difficulties.
- Hirschsprung's disease: A congenital condition characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the colon, leading to severe constipation or intestinal obstruction, which can cause vomiting and feeding issues.
- Inborn errors of metabolism (e.g., galactosemia): Certain metabolic disorders can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and feeding difficulties, and it is crucial to diagnose them early to initiate appropriate management.
- Necrotizing enterocolitis: A serious condition that can occur in newborns, especially premature infants, characterized by inflammation and necrosis of the bowel, which can present with vomiting, diarrhea, and feeding difficulties.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Congenital infections (e.g., congenital CMV, toxoplasmosis): These infections can cause a range of symptoms, including gastrointestinal issues, in newborns.
- Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES): A rare condition characterized by inflammation of the colon and small intestine in response to certain food proteins, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and feeding difficulties.