Condition Lookup
Category:
Gastrointestinal Disorders
Number of Conditions: 3
Meconium Ileus
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Gastrointestinal Disorders
Sub-category: Neonatal and Infantile Disorders
Symptoms:
failure to pass meconium within the first 24-48 hours after birth; abdominal distension; vomiting (may be bilious); feeding intolerance
Root Cause:
Thickened, inspissated meconium obstructs the ileum, often associated with cystic fibrosis.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical presentation, abdominal X-rays showing distended bowel loops and a "soap bubble" appearance, contrast enema, and genetic testing for cystic fibrosis.
Treatment:
Initial treatment involves enemas (e.g., hyperosmolar contrast enema); surgical intervention may be needed if enemas fail. Long-term management includes addressing cystic fibrosis.
Medications:
No specific medications for meconium ileus; treatments focus on cystic fibrosis if present, using pancreatic enzyme replacements, mucolytics (e.g., dornase alfa), and antibiotics for infections.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Seen in approximately 10-20% of infants with cystic fibrosis; rare in the general population.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Cystic fibrosis, family history of cystic fibrosis, and genetic predisposition.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Good with timely intervention; outcomes depend on the underlying condition (e.g., cystic fibrosis).
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Intestinal perforation, peritonitis, volvulus, and long-term bowel dysfunction.
Acute Gastroenteritis
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Gastrointestinal Disorders
Sub-category: Infectious and Inflammatory Disorders
Symptoms:
diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; abdominal cramps; fever; dehydration
Root Cause:
Inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical history, physical examination, stool tests (to identify causative pathogen), and sometimes blood tests if dehydration or severe infection is suspected.
Treatment:
Rehydration therapy (oral or IV), dietary adjustments, and in some cases, antimicrobial therapy for bacterial or parasitic infections.
Medications:
Antiemetics (e.g., ondansetron ), antidiarrheals (e.g., loperamide ), antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin for bacterial infections like Campylobacter or Shigella), and antiparasitics (e.g., metronidazole for Giardia).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects millions globally, especially in children under five, with higher prevalence in low-resource settings.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor sanitation, contaminated food or water, daycare settings, international travel.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Generally good with supportive care; most cases resolve in a few days without complications.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, malnutrition, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in some bacterial infections.
Hepatitis (A, B, C, Autoimmune)
Specialty: Pediatrics
Category: Gastrointestinal Disorders
Sub-category: Infectious and Autoimmune Disorders
Symptoms:
jaundice; fatigue; abdominal pain; dark urine; light-colored stool; nausea; vomiting
Root Cause:
Liver inflammation caused by viral infections (Hepatitis A, B, C) or immune-mediated attack on liver cells (Autoimmune Hepatitis).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Blood tests (liver enzymes, viral serology, autoimmune markers), liver ultrasound, and sometimes liver biopsy.
Treatment:
Hepatitis A
Medications:
Antivirals (e.g., tenofovir , entecavir for Hepatitis B; sofosbuvir , ribavirin for Hepatitis C), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone for Autoimmune Hepatitis), and immunosuppressants (e.g., azathioprine ).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Hepatitis A and B
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Poor hygiene (Hepatitis A), unvaccinated status (Hepatitis B), needle sharing (Hepatitis C), genetic predisposition (Autoimmune Hepatitis).
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Hepatitis A
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, liver failure.