possible indicators of a condition other than gastroenteritis affecting a child with diarrhoea and vomiting
Last reviewed 01/2018
Other conditions that are in the differential diagnosis of gastroenteritis in a child include:
- respiratory tract infection
- meningitis
- urinary tract infection
- intussusception
- acute appendicitis
- Hirschsprung's disease
Suggested indicators of possible diagnoses other than gastroenteritis include:
- fever (1):
- temperature of 38°C or higher in children younger than 3 months
- temperature of 39°C or higher in children aged 3 months or older
- respiratory features
- shortness of breath or tachypnoea
- features suggestive of meningitis
- altered conscious state
- neck stiffness
- bulging fontanelle in infants
- non-blanching rash
- possible other gastroenterological cause
- blood and/or mucus in stool
- bilious (green) vomit
- severe or localised abdominal pain
- abdominal distension or rebound tenderness
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