Vomiting, or throwing up, is very common in children. It can be caused by a wide variety of triggers. Food and liquid coming up from the stomach can be a scary thing for a young child. Reassurance from a parent can help calm their fears. However unpleasant and worrisome, vomiting is often necessary to help rid the body of harmful substances. While children usually recover quickly from bouts of vomiting, dehydration is a potential problem, especially for infants.
Gastroenteritis
The most common cause of vomiting in children is called acute gastroenteritis. Some people refer to it as "stomach flu." This condition is almost always caused by a virus that has infected the gastrointestinal tract. Many viruses can do this, but the extremely contagious rotavirus is commonly implicated, according to Merck Manuals Medical Library. Other causes of gastroenteritis include bacteria, or bacterial toxins, and parasites such as giardia. Symptoms are nausea, stomach ache, vomiting, and diarrhea. Sometimes children have a fever with gastroenteritis.
Appendicitis
The appendix is a small organ that projects off of the large intestine. Appendicitis occurs when the appendix becomes inflamed. This can happen if there is some kind of blockage in the appendix that creates bacterial overgrowth and infection. If an infected appendix bursts, the infection can spread, leading to a life-threatening situation. Classic symptoms of appendicitis are stomach pain, pain around the belly button, and pain in the lower right abdomen. Children often have nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite and a low-grade fever. The symptoms of appendicitis can vary significantly from child to child. If a parent suspects appendicitis, prompt medical attention is vital.
Food Poisoning
Sometimes foods can harbor bacteria, viruses, parasites or toxins that make people ill. Food-borne disease, or food poisoning, is a common ailment. At least 76 million people are sickened with food poisoning every year in the United States, reports the National Institutes of Health. Young children are at increased risk of severe complications from food contamination. The main symptoms are nausea and vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Even though food poisoning can cause serious illness, most forms are mild and children fully recover within two to three days.
