Detection of Acute Gastroenteritis Etiology in Hospitalized Young Children: Associated Factors and Outcomes.

Background: The decision to test for the etiology of diarrhea is a challenging question for practicing pediatricians.

Methods: The main goal of this retrospective cohort study was to identify factors associated with testing for and diagnosis of rotavirus, , or other bacterial infections, as well as the length of stay (LOS) for children with acute gastroenteritis who were hospitalized at a single institution. Patients aged 6 to 60 months with acute diarrhea (<14 days) and no underlying gastrointestinal conditions were included. Data were analyzed by using multivariate logistic and linear regression models.

Results: Stool testing was performed in 73.1% of the 331 patients studied. The majority were tested for multiple pathogens, including rotavirus (65.9%), (30.8%), and other bacteria (63.4%), with recovery rates of 33.0%, 9.8%, and 6.7%, respectively. Rotavirus was more often identified in older patients with dehydration and vomiting. Although testing for was more likely with prolonged diarrhea, no vomiting, and recent antibiotic use, no factors were associated with recovery. Patients who were diagnosed with were more likely to receive probiotics than those who received negative test results. LOS was not associated with stool testing or recovery of any tested pathogens.

Conclusions: Although children with acute gastroenteritis underwent frequent stool testing for diarrheal etiology, detection of a pathogen was uncommon and not associated with a change in LOS. Experimental research will be needed to make additional conclusions about the efficacy of testing for diarrheal etiology in the inpatient practice of acute pediatric diarrhea.