Clinical Findings from the NICE Guideline for When to Suspect Gastroenteritis in a Young Child (Under 5 Years of Age)

 

Patient selection: young child under 5 years of age

 

Clinical findings suggestive of gastroenteritis in a small child - one or both of the following:

(1) sudden change in stool consistency (from formed to loose or watery)

(2) sudden onset of vomiting

 

Possible exposures from the clinical history that would support the diagnosis:

(1) recent exposure to someone with signs and symptoms of gastroenteritis (diarrhea and/or vomiting)

(2) exposure to contaminated food and/or water

(3) recent travel abroad

 

where:

• To the list of exposures will add: occurrence of an outbreak of gastroenteritis and/or onset of symptoms in other members of a common group.

 

Expected time course for signs of gastroenteritis:

(1) diarrhea should stop within 14 days (usually with 7 days)

(2) vomiting should stop within 3 days