Vomiting in children: all possible causes

A mechanical reflex intended to reject the contents of the stomach, vomiting is common in infants and children. They are often accompanied by abdominal pain of the cramp type, and are to be distinguished from regurgitation of the infant.

When vomiting occurs in the child, it is good, to facilitate the search for the cause, to note whether it is an acute or chronic episode, if it is accompanied by other symptoms (diarrhea, fever, flu-like condition) and if they occur after a particular event (medication, shock, transport, stress, etc.).

The different causes of vomiting in children

• Gastroenteritis

Each year in France, thousands of children contract gastroenteritis, an intestinal inflammation most often due to a rotavirus.

Besides diarrhea, vomiting is one of the most common symptoms, and sometimes it is accompanied by fever, headache and body aches. Water loss being the main danger of gastro, the watchword is hydration.

• Motion sickness

Motion sickness is quite common in children. Also, if vomiting occurs after a car, bus or boat trip, it’s a safe bet that motion sickness is the cause. Restlessness and paleness can also be symptoms.

In the future, rest, more frequent breaks, a light meal before the trip can avoid this problem, as can not read or watch a screen.

• An attack of appendicitis

Fever, severe abdominal pain located on the right, difficulty walking, nausea and vomiting are the main symptoms of an attack of appendicitis, the acute inflammation of the appendix. A simple palpation of the abdomen is usually sufficient for the doctor to make the diagnosis.

• Urinary tract infection

Vomiting is an unrecognized symptom of a urinary tract infection. The other symptoms are pain or burning when urinating, frequent urination, fever (not systematic) and a feverish state. In young children, in whom it is difficult to observe these signs, performing a urinalysis (ECBU) is a good way to ensure that these vomiting are indeed the result of cystitis.

• ENT disorder

Nasopharyngitis, sinusitis, ear infections and tonsillitis may be accompanied by vomiting. This is why an examination of the ENT sphere (Otorhinolaryngology) must be systematic in the presence of fever and vomiting in children, unless a more obvious cause is put forward and the symptoms correspond not.

• Food allergy or poisoning

Food poisoning due to a pathogen (E.coli, Listeria, Salmonella, etc.) or even a food allergy may explain the occurrence of vomiting in children. Allergy or intolerance to cow’s milk or gluten (celiac disease) may be involved. A dietary error, especially in terms of quantity, quality or eating habits (particularly spicy food) can also explain why a child vomits.

• Head trauma

A shock to the head can cause vomiting, as well as other symptoms such as disorientation, altered state of consciousness, feverish state, lump with hematoma, headaches … Better to consult without delay to ensure that the head injury does not occur. did not cause any brain damage.

• Meningitis

Whether viral or bacterial, meningitis can manifest as vomiting, in children as well as in adults. It is mostly accompanied by high fever, confusion, stiff neck, severe headache and feverishness. In the presence of vomiting accompanied by these symptoms, it is better to consult very quickly because viral or bacterial meningitis is not trivial and can worsen quickly.

• Bowel obstruction or peptic ulcer

More rarely, vomiting in children can be the result of an intestinal obstruction, a peptic ulcer or gastritis or pancreatitis.

• Accidental poisoning?

Note that in the absence of any sign of clinical orientation leading to a conclusion to one of the above causes, it is necessary to think of the possibility of accidental intoxication by drugs or by household or industrial products. It is possible that the child has ingested something harmful (detergent tablets, etc.) without noticing it immediately.

Vomiting in children: what if it was a shrink?

Back to school, moving, change of habit, apprehension… Sometimes, psychological worries are enough to produce vomiting of anxiety in the child.

When all the medical causes have been explored and then ruled out, it may be a good idea to think about a psychological factor : what if my child physically translated something that worries or stresses him? Is there something that is bothering him a lot these days? By making the connection between when the vomiting occurs and the attitude of your child, it is possible to realize that it is about vomiting of anxiety.

On the psychiatric side, pediatricians also evoke a “emetic syndrome”, That is to say vomiting, which can reveal a parent-child conflict that the child somatizes. Again, this diagnosis should only be considered and retained after formal elimination of all possible medical causes.

Vomiting in children: when to worry and consult?

If your child is vomiting, what to do next depends on the situation.

At first, we will take care to avoid him taking the wrong path, by inviting him to bend down and spit out what may remain in his mouth. Then the child will be made to feel the best possible after vomiting by having him drink a little water to get rid of the bad taste, by washing his face and removing him from the place where he is sick. vomited, to avoid bad smells. It is good to reassure the child by explaining that the vomiting, although unpleasant, is often not serious. Rehydration is the watchword in the following hours. Offer him water regularly.

In a second step, we will closely monitor the state of the child in the hours which follow, because this one should improve little by little if it is of benign, isolated vomiting. Note the presence of other symptoms, as well as their severity (diarrhea, fever, feverish state, stiff neck, confusion…), and if new vomiting occurs. If these symptoms worsen or persist for several hours, it is best to consult a doctor quickly. Examination of the child will determine the cause of his vomiting and seek appropriate treatment.