Differential Diagnosis for Abdominal Pain
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroenteritis: This is a common cause of abdominal pain, especially in children, and is often accompanied by symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. The diagnosis is likely due to the high prevalence of viral and bacterial infections that cause gastroenteritis.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Constipation: A frequent cause of abdominal pain in both children and adults, constipation can lead to discomfort, bloating, and pain.
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): UTIs can cause abdominal pain, especially in the lower abdomen, and are often accompanied by symptoms such as dysuria and frequent urination.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): A functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by abdominal pain, bloating, and changes in bowel movements.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although less common, appendicitis is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention. It typically presents with severe abdominal pain, initially diffuse and then localized to the right lower quadrant, accompanied by fever and vomiting.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine telescopes into another, causing bowel obstruction and potentially leading to ischemia. It's a pediatric emergency that presents with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody stools.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A life-threatening condition in pregnant women where the embryo implants outside the uterus, often causing severe abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and missed periods.
- Pancreatitis: Inflammation of the pancreas that can cause severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and elevated pancreatic enzymes.
Rare Diagnoses
- Meckel's Diverticulum: A congenital anomaly of the small intestine that can cause abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding, and obstruction.
- Intestinal Malrotation: A condition where the intestine does not properly rotate during development, potentially leading to volvulus (twisting of the intestine) and causing severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and abdominal distension.
- Hernias: Although not always rare, certain types like Spigelian or obturator hernias can be rare causes of abdominal pain and obstruction.
- Abdominal Migraine: A condition characterized by recurrent episodes of severe abdominal pain, often accompanied by other migraine symptoms like headache and nausea, primarily seen in children.