Overview Gastroenteritis continues to cause significant morbidity in developed and developing countries. The most common cause are viral and bacterial including:
| Definition Diarrhoea: Loose, water like stools that occur with increased frequency and an increased volume of >200g per day Gastroenteritis: >3 or more loose stools per day for <14 days Chronic Diarrhoea: Diarrhoea that continue for more than 2 weeks Malabsorption: Defined as the failure to absorb nutrients Toddlers Diarrhoea: Clinical syndrome characterised by chronic diarrhoea often with undigested food in the stools of a child who is otherwise well, gaining weight and growing satisfactorily. |
Gastroenteritis is usually self-resolving. Parasitic infection are uncommon but can be dangerous.
| Clinical Triad of Gastroenteritis: fever, vomiting, diarrhoea |
It is important to assess state of dehydration because this will tailor treatment. Dehydration can be either mild, moderate or severe.
Viral Gastroenteritis
Bacterial Gastroenteritis
| Side note Most bacterial causes of diarrhoea are self-limiting and do not usually require antibiotic therapy. |
Parasitic Gastroenteritis
| Watch Video Giardia Lamblia |
| Watch Video Pin Worms - Enterobius Vermicularis |
Diagnosis
Complication
| Watch Video Gastroenteritis (Paediatric) - Overview |
