True/False MCQ · Diarrhoea and Dehydration in Children
Regarding the causes of diarrhoea in children, the following statements are TRUE:
- ARotavirus is a common viral cause
- BShigella can cause dysentery
- CSystemic infections (e.g. otitis media, UTI) can present with diarrhoea
- DCow's milk protein intolerance is an infective cause of diarrhoea
- EDiarrhoea in children is never caused by surgical conditions
Show answers and explanation
- A. True
- B. True
- C. True
- D. False: Cow's milk protein intolerance is non-infective.
- E. False: Surgical conditions such as intussusception, appendicitis and necrotising enterocolitis can cause or accompany diarrhoea, so it is false that diarrhoea is never surgical.
Causes of childhood diarrhoea
Causes are infective and non-infective.
Key facts
- Rotavirus (and other viruses) is a common cause.
- Shigella causes dysentery.
- Systemic infections (otitis media, UTI, LRTI, meningitis) can present with diarrhoea.
- Cow's milk protein intolerance, lactose intolerance, coeliac disease and IBD are non-infective causes.
The error
- Surgical causes (e.g. intussusception, appendicitis, necrotising enterocolitis) can cause/accompany diarrhoea - so 'never' is false.
Statement-by-statement verdict
Why A is true
Rotavirus is a common viral cause.
Why B is true
Shigella can cause dysentery.
Why C is true
Systemic infections can present with diarrhoea.
Why D is false
Cow's milk protein intolerance is a NON-infective cause of diarrhoea.
Why E is false
Surgical conditions (e.g. intussusception, appendicitis) can cause diarrhoea.
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