Differential Diagnosis for 15 yo f with Fatigue
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Viral infection (e.g., upper respiratory tract infection): This is a common cause of fatigue in adolescents, especially given the non-specific nature of the symptoms and the short duration.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Anemia: Could be due to various reasons such as iron deficiency, which is common in adolescent females, especially if they have started menstruating.
- Hypothyroidism: Although less common, it's a possible cause of fatigue and should be considered, especially if there are other symptoms like weight gain or cold intolerance.
- Depression: Fatigue can be a presenting symptom of depression, which is a significant concern in adolescents.
- Sleep disorders (e.g., insomnia, sleep apnea): Poor sleep quality or quantity can lead to fatigue.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)
- Diabetes mellitus: Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can present with fatigue among other symptoms like polyuria and polydipsia.
- Infectious mononucleosis (mono): Caused by Epstein-Barr virus, it can lead to significant fatigue and has a risk of splenic rupture.
- Lyme disease: If the patient has been exposed to ticks, Lyme disease could be a consideration, as it can cause fatigue along with other symptoms like a distinctive rash and joint pain.
- Leukemia or lymphoma: Although rare, these cancers can present with non-specific symptoms like fatigue and would be critical to diagnose early.
- Rare diagnoses
- Chronic fatigue syndrome (myalgic encephalomyelitis): A condition characterized by extreme fatigue that cannot be explained by any underlying medical condition.
- Mitochondrial diseases: A group of disorders caused by dysfunctional mitochondria, which can lead to fatigue among a wide range of other symptoms.
- Adrenal insufficiency: A condition where the adrenal glands do not produce adequate amounts of hormones, leading to fatigue and potentially life-threatening complications if not treated.