Question

A 14-month old baby has been vomitting and had diarrhea. She is constantly crying with what appears to be severe abdominal pain. The suspect diagnosis is gastroenteritis caused from Staph aureus from milk custard that had not been stored properly.

1. What tests are done to prove the organism causing the gastroenteritis is Staph aureus?

2. How does the Staph aureus cause vomitting and diarrhea in the body?

3. What signs would indicate the baby was dehydrated?

4. Describe the fluid and electrolyte imbalances that the baby could develop?

5. Is water alone sufficient to treat this baby?

Answer 1

1. What tests are done to prove the organism causing the gastroenteritis is Staph aureus?

The stool sample is collected from the child and is examined under a microbiology lab to identify the causative organism for gastroenteritis.

2. How does the Staph aureus cause vomiting and diarrhea in the body?

Staph aureus should present in the contaminated food. It transmits to the healthy body by intake of contaminated food. It produces some toxins that bind with specific enterocyte receptors in the intestine. The malabsorption of content leads to food poisoning and results in diarrhea and vomiting.

3. What signs would indicate the baby was dehydrated?

Sunken eyes, dry skin, dry mouth, drowsiness, feeling thirsty, not passing of urine, rapid breathing are the signs of dehydration.

4. Describe the fluid and electrolyte imbalances that the baby could develop?

The baby could develop hypovolemia(loss of fluid) and hyponatremia(loss of sodium) because of excessive loss of fluid and salt content through vomiting and diarrhea.

5. Is water alone sufficient to treat this baby?

Baby should be offered with sips of liquid every 10 to 15 minutes. Along with the liquid, the baby should be fed with breast milk. If baby tolerates liquid, Oral rehydration therapy should be given to replace the electrolyte loss.