Research Article

Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Volume: 14 Number: 1 October 15, 2026
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Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Aim: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) remains a common cause of pediatric morbidity and healthcare use. This study evaluated etiological agents, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, complications, and the potential role of mean platelet volume (MPV) in children with AGE. 

Material and Method: In this retrospective study, 630 children aged 0-17 years who were diagnosed with AGE between January 2013 and December 2019 at a tertiary university hospital were reviewed. Only patients with a confirmed etiological diagnosis and no chronic systemic disease were included. Demographic data, clinical findings, laboratory parameters, stool analyses, treatment characteristics, and complications were analyzed according to etiological groups. 

Results: Rotavirus was the most frequently identified pathogen (27.5%), followed by Entamoeba histolytica (24.6%), rotavirusadenovirus co-infection (21.3%), adenovirus (10.6%), Giardia intestinalis (8.4%), and Clostridioides difficile (7.6%). Cases were most frequent in winter (46.4%). Viral agents predominated in younger children, whereas parasitic infections were more common in older age groups. No complications occurred in 77.0% of patients; seizures (10.8%), intussusception (5.1%), hemolytic uremic syndrome (3.0%), and renal failure (1.7%) were recorded. MPV differed significantly between etiological groups, with the highest values observed in rotavirusadenovirus co-infections and the lowest values in adenovirusrelated AGE (p=0.018). CRP values did not differ significantly among etiological groups. 

Conclusion: Rotavirus remained the most common etiological agent of pediatric acute gastroenteritis in this cohort. Although MPV values differed significantly among etiological groups, the observed differences were modest and do not support the use of MPV as an independent diagnostic marker. Nevertheless, MPV may serve as a supportive laboratory parameter when interpreted together with clinical and microbiological findings. Accurate etiological diagnosis remains essential for guiding appropriate treatment decisions and avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use in children with acute gastroenteritis. Further prospective multicenter studies are required to clarify its diagnostic and prognostic value in pediatric acute gastroenteritis. 

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Selcuk University Medical School, Department of Child Health and Diseases, Konya, Turkey

Ethical Statement

This study was approved by the Local Ethics Committee of Selcuk University Medical Faculty (Approval No: 050.01.04, 2017). Due to the retrospective nature of the study, informed consent was waived.

Thanks

The authors thank the staff of the Department of Child Health and Diseases for their support in data collection and patient management.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Pediatric Gastroenterology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

October 15, 2026

Submission Date

June 15, 2026

Acceptance Date

August 19, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 14 Number: 1

APA
Yahya, I., & Yorulmaz, A. (2026). Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Pediatric Practice and Research, 14(1), 1971878. https://doi.org/10.21765/pprjournal.1971878
AMA
1.Yahya I, Yorulmaz A. Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. pediatr pract res. 2026;14(1):1971878. doi:10.21765/pprjournal.1971878
Chicago
Yahya, Ibaa, and Alaaddin Yorulmaz. 2026. “Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children With Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Pediatric Practice and Research 14 (1): 1971878. https://doi.org/10.21765/pprjournal.1971878.
EndNote
Yahya I, Yorulmaz A (October 1, 2026) Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Pediatric Practice and Research 14 1 1971878.
IEEE
[1]I. Yahya and A. Yorulmaz, “Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study”, pediatr pract res, vol. 14, no. 1, p. 1971878, Oct. 2026, doi: 10.21765/pprjournal.1971878.
ISNAD
Yahya, Ibaa - Yorulmaz, Alaaddin. “Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children With Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Pediatric Practice and Research 14/1 (October 1, 2026): 1971878. https://doi.org/10.21765/pprjournal.1971878.
JAMA
1.Yahya I, Yorulmaz A. Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. pediatr pract res. 2026;14:1971878.
MLA
Yahya, Ibaa, and Alaaddin Yorulmaz. “Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children With Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study”. Pediatric Practice and Research, vol. 14, no. 1, Oct. 2026, p. 1971878, doi:10.21765/pprjournal.1971878.
Vancouver
1.Ibaa Yahya, Alaaddin Yorulmaz. Etiological Profile, Clinical Characteristics, and Mean Platelet Volume in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis: A Retrospective Cohort Study. pediatr pract res. 2026 Oct. 1;14(1):1971878. doi:10.21765/pprjournal.1971878