Pediatric Food Poisoning Workup

  • Author: Sunil K Sood, MBBS, DCh, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Mar 13, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

  • Stool culture is an expensive test with a very low yield and is indicated particularly if patients with food poisoning have bloody diarrhea, severe abdominal pain, or are immunocompromised. When the likely pathogen is a Campylobacter, Yersinia, or Vibrio species, or if Shigalike toxin-producing E coli (eg, E coli O157:H7) is suspected, the laboratory should be notified because special media or incubation conditions (high or low temperature) are required.
  • Stool examination for parasites is indicated for GI tract illnesses that appear to have occurred after a long incubation period. Certain travel history, such as travel to tropical countries, camping, and drinking well or stream water should prompt consideration of parasitic food-borne illness.
  • Blood cultures are performed for bacteremic food-borne diseases (FBDs).
  • Serum electrolyte levels, BUN levels, creatinine levels, CBC count, and urinalysis are performed to assess hydration, renal function, and presence of hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS). Evidence of hemolysis and thrombocytopenia are present in patients with HUS.
  • Toxin testing, serotyping, and molecular techniques are available only from large commercial and public health laboratories. They are generally ordered only as part of an epidemiologic investigation.
  • Testing of food or vomitus for toxins may be offered by a poison control center or the local health authorities.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Sunil K Sood, MBBS, DCh, MD  Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine; Chief, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Firm Director, Pediatric Unit, Schneider Children's Hospital at North Shore, North Shore University Hospital

Sunil K Sood, MBBS, DCh, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Rosemary Johann-Liang, MD  Medical Officer, Infectious Diseases and Pediatrics, Division of Special Pathogens and Immunological Drug Products, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, Food and Drug Administration

Rosemary Johann-Liang, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Larry I Lutwick, MD  Professor of Medicine, State University of New York Downstate Medical School; Director, Infectious Diseases, Veterans Affairs New York Harbor Health Care System, Brooklyn Campus

Larry I Lutwick, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians and Infectious Diseases Society of America

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD  Chief, Division of Allergy, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital at Saint Peter's University Hospital; Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Drexel University College of Medicine

Robert W Tolan Jr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association, American Society for Microbiology, American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and Physicians for Social Responsibility

Disclosure: Novartis Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Chief Editor

Russell W Steele, MD  Head, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Ochsner Children's Health Center; Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Tulane University School of Medicine

Russell W Steele, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, American Association of Immunologists, American Pediatric Society, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Louisiana State Medical Society, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, Society for Pediatric Research, and Southern Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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