Infectious Gastroenteritis: Etiologic Agents and Clinical Assessment

Abstract

Gastroenteritis is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children worldwide. The most common cause is Rotavirus, although it varies by age and region. Rotavirus is responsible for severe diarrhea. The severity of disease is related to dehydration, electrolyte disturbance and metabolic acidosis. Thus clinical evaluation begins with the assessment of dehydration. Mikrobiological investigations should not be routinely performed to verify the etiology in children with gastroenteritis.