Dr Kola Tytler MBBS CertHE MBA MRCGPClinical Lead • iatroX
Recommended investigations for a 2-year-old child presenting with reported diarrhea and black stools include focused initial clinical assessment supplemented by targeted laboratory tests to identify the cause and exclude serious underlying pathology.
First, take a detailed history and perform a physical examination to assess the child’s hydration status, symptom severity, and
Key References
- CG84 - Diarrhoea and vomiting caused by gastroenteritis in under 5s: diagnosis and management
- CKS - Constipation in children
- CKS - Diarrhoea - adult's assessment
- CKS - Gastroenteritis
- NG1 - Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease in children and young people: diagnosis and management
- CG99 - Constipation in children and young people: diagnosis and management
- (Rao et al., 2025): The current state of pediatric gastroenterology in under-resourced nations.
- (Leone et al., 2026): Iron Therapy in Pediatric Iron Deficiency and Iron-Deficiency Anemia: Efficacy, Safety, and Formulation-Specific Trade-Offs-A Narrative Review.
- (Fang et al., 2025): Case Report: Giant congenital transmesenteric hernia in a 6-month-old infant: a case of delayed recognition and critical diagnostic lessons.