Several gastrointestinal disorders can affect both neonates and infants, including the following:
Neonates are also susceptible to other conditions that may become surgical emergencies such as inguinal hernia, gastric perforation, ileal perforation, and mesenteric arterial occlusion.
Infectious gastroenteritis is the most common pediatric gastrointestinal disorder. It occurs most commonly in medically underserved countries and predominately among children < 5 years of age. Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death in children < 5 years old globally (1). (See Overview of Gastroenteritis.)
General reference
1. Hartman RM, Cohen AL, Antoni S, et al. Risk Factors for Mortality Among Children Younger Than Age 5 Years With Severe Diarrhea in Low- and Middle-income Countries: Findings From the World Health Organization-coordinated Global Rotavirus and Pediatric Diarrhea Surveillance Networks [published correction appears in Clin Infect Dis. 2023 Jan 6;76(1):183. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciac865.]. Clin Infect Dis. 2023;76(3):e1047-e1053. doi:10.1093/cid/ciac561
