Pediatric Gastroenteritis 

  • Author: Randy P Prescilla, MD; Chief Editor: Russell W Steele, MD   more...
 
Updated: Nov 29, 2011
 

Background

Gastroenteritis is a very common pediatric condition and is second only to respiratory infections as the most common reason for unscheduled visits to pediatricians.

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Pathophysiology

Gastroenteritis is a clinical syndrome caused by various viral, bacterial, and parasitic enteropathogens. The mechanisms potentially responsible for viral diarrhea include lysis of enterocytes, interference with the brush border function that leads to malabsorption of electrolytes, stimulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and carbohydrate malabsorption. The proposed pathophysiology of bacterial gastroenteritis involves the elaboration of toxin by enterotoxigenic pathogens and the invasion and inflammation of mucosa by invasive pathogens. Parasitic organisms invade epithelial cells and cause villus atrophy and eventual malabsorption.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Incidence rates for diarrhea are 1-2.5 episodes per child per year, which annually leads to approximately 38 million cases, 2-3.7 million physician visits, 320,000 hospitalizations, and 325-425 deaths.

International

More than 1 billion cases and at least 4 million deaths per year are attributed to diarrhea worldwide.

Mortality/Morbidity

Mortality and morbidity from diarrhea relate to the degree of dehydration. Most deaths in the United States correlate to lower maternal socioeconomic factors and prematurity.

Age

Dehydration risk in children relates to age, and infants are most susceptible.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Randy P Prescilla, MD  Instructor in Anesthesia, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Perioperative Anesthesia, Children's Hospital Boston

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

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.

Joseph Domachowske, MD  Professor of Pediatrics, Microbiology and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, State University of New York Upstate Medical University

Joseph Domachowske, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Pediatrics, American Society for Microbiology, Infectious Diseases Society of America, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society, and Phi Beta Kappa

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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