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

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.