What is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children?

Viral infections, specifically rotavirus, are considered the most common cause of gastroenteritis in children. Rotavirus is highly contagious and predominantly affects infants and young children, leading to severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and dehydration. Before the widespread use of vaccines, rotavirus was responsible for a significant number of hospitalizations and outpatient visits due to gastroenteritis in this population.

Rotavirus infections are characterized by a sudden onset of symptoms, and the virus is typically transmitted via the fecal-oral route, which can easily occur in settings such as daycare centers. Since the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, there has been a notable decrease in the incidence of severe gastroenteritis caused by this virus, highlighting its importance as a leading cause prior to vaccination programs.

While other pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Norovirus can also cause gastroenteritis, they are less prevalent in young children compared to rotavirus. Salmonella and E. coli are more commonly associated with bacterial infections often linked to contaminated food or water. Norovirus, though a significant cause of gastroenteritis across all ages, is often more commonly seen in outbreaks, particularly among older children and adults. Therefore, the identification of rotavirus as the leading