Differential Diagnosis for a Child with Diarrhea
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral Gastroenteritis: This is the most common cause of diarrhea in children, often due to rotavirus, norovirus, or adenovirus, and is usually self-limiting.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Bacterial Gastroenteritis: Caused by bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, or Shigella, often from contaminated food or water.
- Food Allergy or Intolerance: Conditions like lactose intolerance or allergies to specific foods can cause chronic or acute diarrhea.
- Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea: The use of antibiotics can disrupt the normal gut flora, leading to diarrhea.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can present with chronic diarrhea and require early diagnosis for proper management.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, which can cause bowel obstruction and ischemia, presenting with diarrhea, abdominal pain, and sometimes blood in stool.
- HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome): A potentially life-threatening condition often following a bacterial infection (like E. coli O157:H7), characterized by diarrhea, anemia, and kidney failure.
Rare Diagnoses
- Celiac Disease: An autoimmune reaction to gluten, leading to small intestine damage and malabsorption, presenting with chronic diarrhea among other symptoms.
- Congenital or Acquired Immunodeficiency: Conditions affecting the immune system can lead to persistent or recurrent diarrhea due to increased susceptibility to infections.
- Tropical Diarrhea: Caused by parasites or bacteria more common in tropical regions, such as Giardia or amoebiasis, which can cause chronic diarrhea in travelers or immigrants.