Clinical Practice Guidelines: Acute Gastroenteritis

CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINES (FULL LIST)

ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS (CPG)

Acute gastroenteritis is an infectious illness, usually caused by a virus, characterized by vomiting and diarrhea. It often results in dehydration, especially in young children. In the US, pediatric acute gastroenteritis accounts for more than 1.5 million clinic visits and 200,000 hospitalizations annually. Children under five are disproportionately affected, with an average of two episodes of acute gastroenteritis per year, equating to about 10 percent of all pediatric hospital admissions. For rotavirus alone, these costs add up to $250 million per year.

The clinical practice guideline was developed with the goal of standardization of care of acute gastroenteritis, based on current evidence and best practices. Acute gastroenteritis is typically a self-limited illness that responds well to supportive care with oral rehydration therapy. Therefore, the clinical practice guideline focuses on providing high-quality, cost-effective care by reducing unnecessary laboratory testing, antibiotics, imaging modalities, and IV fluid usage.

Acute Gastroenteritis guideline team

  • Contact: Carrie Lind, Hospital Medicine
  • Kimberly Naftel Emergency Medicine
  • Maribeth Nicholson, Gastroenterology
  • Alice Rothman, General Pediatrics
  • Seth Scholer, General Pediatrics
  • Aida Yared, General Pediatrics
  • Alison Grisso, Pharmacy