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Differential Diagnosis for a 13-year-old Boy with Nausea and Decreased Appetite

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Viral Gastroenteritis: This is a common condition in adolescents, often presenting with nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite due to inflammation of the stomach and intestines, usually caused by a viral infection.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Food Poisoning: Bacterial or viral infections from contaminated food can lead to nausea and decreased appetite.
  • Stress or Anxiety: Psychological factors can manifest physically, including nausea and loss of appetite, especially in adolescents dealing with school or social pressures.
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause chronic nausea and decreased appetite, among other symptoms.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Appendicitis: Although it typically presents with abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting, decreased appetite can be an early symptom. Missing this diagnosis can lead to severe complications.
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): In undiagnosed diabetes, DKA can cause nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite, and is a medical emergency.
  • Ingestion or Poisoning: Accidental or intentional ingestion of toxic substances can present with nausea and decreased appetite, requiring immediate medical attention.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Hepatitis: Inflammation of the liver can cause nausea, loss of appetite, and other systemic symptoms, though it's less common in otherwise healthy adolescents.
  • Gastric or Intestinal Obstruction: Though rare, obstructions can cause severe nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite, and require urgent medical intervention.
  • Brain Tumors: Certain brain tumors, especially those affecting the hypothalamus or brainstem, can cause nausea and changes in appetite, though this would be extremely rare and likely accompanied by other neurological symptoms.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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