Differential Diagnosis for 10 y/o Male with Stomach Issues
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): This is a common condition in children, characterized by stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus, causing symptoms like heartburn, abdominal pain, and nausea.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Functional dyspepsia: A common condition in children, characterized by recurring stomach pain, bloating, and discomfort, often without a clear cause.
- Viral gastroenteritis: A common illness in children, caused by a viral infection, leading to symptoms like stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting.
- Lactose intolerance: A condition where the body is unable to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, and stomach cramps.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Appendicitis: Although less common in this age group, appendicitis can present with stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, and requires prompt surgical attention.
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into another, causing bowel obstruction, which can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and bloody stools.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis can cause chronic stomach pain, diarrhea, and weight loss, and require prompt treatment.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Peptic ulcer disease: Although rare in children, peptic ulcers can cause stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting, and may be associated with Helicobacter pylori infection or NSAID use.
- Gastric cancer: Extremely rare in children, but can cause stomach pain, weight loss, and vomiting, and requires prompt evaluation and treatment.
- Eosinophilic gastroenteritis: A rare condition characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms like stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.