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Differential Diagnosis for 11-month-old Patient

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Viral Croup: The patient's symptoms of fever, vomiting, refusal to eat or drink, and stridor when crying are consistent with viral croup, a common illness in infants. The fact that stridor is absent when the patient is settled also supports this diagnosis.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Viral Gastroenteritis: The patient's symptoms of fever, vomiting, and refusal to eat or drink could also be consistent with viral gastroenteritis, which is a common cause of illness in infants.
  • Upper Respiratory Infection: The patient's symptoms of fever and stridor when crying could also be consistent with an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold or sinus infection.
  • Dehydration: The patient's refusal to eat or drink and vomiting could lead to dehydration, which is a common complication of illness in infants.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Epiglottitis: Although less common, epiglottitis is a life-threatening condition that can present with similar symptoms, including stridor and refusal to eat or drink. It is essential to consider this diagnosis to avoid missing a potentially deadly condition.
  • Bacterial Tracheitis: This is another life-threatening condition that can present with stridor and respiratory distress, and it is essential to consider this diagnosis to avoid missing a potentially deadly condition.
  • Foreign Body Aspiration: The patient's symptoms of stridor and refusal to eat or drink could also be consistent with foreign body aspiration, which is a medical emergency.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Anaphylaxis: Although rare, anaphylaxis can present with stridor and respiratory distress, and it is essential to consider this diagnosis in the differential.
  • Congenital Anomalies: Certain congenital anomalies, such as laryngomalacia or subglottic stenosis, can present with stridor and respiratory distress, although these are rare conditions.
  • Inborn Errors of Metabolism: Certain inborn errors of metabolism, such as mitochondrial disorders, can present with nonspecific symptoms, including fever and vomiting, although these are rare conditions.

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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