Vomiting in Children: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Nobody likes to see their little bundle of joy quiet and low on energy. Vomiting is a common occurrence in children and adults alike, but persistent vomiting in children can be a cause of concern for parents. Vomiting in children is different from vomiting in babies. You may notice small amounts of food being brought out while feeding babies without effort; this is reflux and quite normal. Vomiting is the regurgitation of food and the stomach's contents. 

In this article, we'll delve into the causes, and treatment of vomiting as a consequence of underlying causes in children so that you can seek prompt treatment and watch your tiny tots frolic and play with reinstated energy and fun. 

Symptoms of vomiting in children

You may find your kid complaining of stomach pain and nausea before they throw up. This is often the first sign of vomiting in children. In a majority of the time, it may occur when they are unwell. 

Other symptoms that may accompany vomiting in children include:

• Fever
• Loss of appetite 
• Diarrhoea 
• Headache 
• Coughing or breathing problems

You may also notice that your kid has become quiet, which is often a sign that they're already feeling sick. It can be worrisome for you but don't fret yet! Not all causes of vomiting in children may be serious. Read on to understand what causes vomiting in children.

What causes vomiting in children?

Knowing what's inducing vomiting in your child is vital to understand how to stop vomiting in children. Most commonly, children may throw up due to a “stomach bug” or “stomach flu”, which is nothing but a virus or a bacterial infection in their gastrointestinal system. This is known as ‘gastroenteritis’, which may cause other symptoms, like nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. Vomiting in children as a result of gastroenteritis may get better within a day, and the other symptoms may improve over the next few days.

There are other potential causes of vomiting in children that may include:

• Food poisoning 
• Motion sickness 
• Urinary tract infections
• Coughing too hard
• Complicated medical conditions, like appendicitis, an obstruction, pancreatitis, or gallstones 
• Block intestines, such as pyloric stenosis, in infants
• High pressure in the brain due to a head injury or as a sign of meningitis or a brain tumour.

While problems like motion sickness and coughing can be managed with simple medicines or syrups, other causes of vomiting in children should be diagnosed and treated by a qualified doctor. 

How Do Doctors Find the Cause of Vomiting?

A paediatrician specialises in the treatment of ailments in infants and children. They can usually tell if the vomiting accompanied by other symptoms in children is occurring as a result of stomach flu based on the symptoms, physical examination, and additional investigative tests, if deemed necessary. 

If a child is very sick or has been vomiting frequently, the paediatrician may conduct a blood test, urine test, or other tests to check for signs of dehydration and to find out what is causing them to vomit. 

Treatment of Vomiting in Children 

Treatment of vomiting in children depends on what's causing it. If your child is vomiting due to gastroenteritis, it may go away on its own within 24 hours. If your kid is vomiting, you should ensure that he/she doesn't get dehydrated. Replenish their fluid requirements by giving an oral rehydration solution. A simple blend of salt and sugar in water can do the job. 

Types of vomiting in children treatment may include the following:

• Anti-vomiting medicines: Medicines that control vomiting may not be suitable for children, so you shouldn't try to give them anti-vomiting medicines without the advice of a paediatrician. 
• Antibiotics: These are not helpful unless infections are due to bacteria, such as urinary tract infections, which are usually treated with antibiotics. 
• Intravenous rehydration: If your child suffers from severe dehydration, especially for conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis, they will need treatment at the hospital. This includes safely reversing any dehydration, normalising blood sugar levels with insulin, and closely monitoring your child.
• Surgery: Surgery may be recommended as a mode of treatment if vomiting is caused by an obstruction or blockage in the digestive system, such as appendicitis, pyloric stenosis, or bowel obstruction. 

When Should I Take My Child to the Doctor?

Children may vomit from time to time and get better on their own without necessitating medical attention. But frequent vomiting in children or vomiting blood in children is a cause of concern and should not be ignored. Parents should visit a paediatrician to seek urgent medical care for their children as it may be detrimental to their health.

Additionally, if you notice the following symptoms in your child, you should not delay diagnosis and treatment of the underlying problem:

• High fever 
• Signs of dehydration, such as acting very sleepy or less alert, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, peeing less often, having a dry mouth or cracked lips, and crying with few or no tears
• Severe stomach pain or back pain
• Cannot drink liquids for several hours
• Headache 
• Stiff neck
• Vomiting continuously for more than 24 hours 
• Vomiting after a head injury 

Home Remedy for Vomiting in Children 

Primary care for your child can be taken at home if they're sick from fever or stomach flu and vomiting. Here is some advice to care for your infants and children with home remedy for vomiting in children:

• Breastfed babies should be offered milk or water after each time they vomit. 
• For older babies, an oral rehydration solution after each time they vomit will help.
• Oral rehydration solutions can be chilled or made into ice blocks for your child to suck on them. 
• Make sure that they rest as much as they can.
• Avoid giving them lemonade or health drinks as they may worsen the diarrhoea or dehydration.
• Children may refuse to eat anything solid if they're vomiting. Allow them to take a break for a day or two and keep feeding them liquids and semi-solid foods, like porridge, before reintroducing solid food after two days.

You should also avoid sending them to school until they get better. If your child doesn't get better despite treatment at home, you should consider visiting a paediatrician for focused treatments.

Conclusion 

Watching your child sick can be distressing; adding vomiting to the list can make you worried. The key to successfully treating their vomiting is to keep supporting them with nutrition and hydration and stay calm and patient. Don't give any medication to your child unless it's been recommended by a doctor. If you have concerns with other symptoms, or their vomiting doesn't get better with time, you should not delay getting an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. 

Dr. Saurabh Piparsania 

Pediatrics

CARE CHL Hospitals, Indore