If your child is throwing up, it might be the result of something he ate or he could have an illness, according to the Family Doctor website. While vomiting is a frequent response to childhood illnesses, motion-sickness or even stress, it may also be a symptom of a more serious disorder.
Symptoms
Throwing-up ranges from an infant who spits up small amounts of breast milk or formula after a feeding to forceful vomiting accompanied by additional symptoms, says the Family Doctor. Your child may also develop diarrhea, a fever and a loss of appetite. Forceful vomiting in an infant, vomiting accompanied by abdominal pain, bloody stools or vomiting that lasts 12 hours in an infant or 24 hours in a child over 2 years of age requires prompt medical attention.
Food and Drink
Eating too much food, eating rich foods or eating food tainted with bacteria can cause a child to throw up, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health." An infant's stomach may rebel when eating new food for the first time or if she consumes infant formula and she is lactose-intolerant. Teens who experiment with alcohol or tobacco products may also throw up.
Medical Causes
Vomiting may be the result of an underlying medical disorder or disease, reports Drugs.com. A migraine headache may trigger vomiting, or it may be a symptom of gallstones, a stomach ulcer, gastroenteritis, the stomach flu, an infection or a virus. You child may also vomit as a reaction to medication or a medical treatment, such as chemotherapy.
Care
Vital body fluids are lost through vomiting and your doctor may recommend that you give your child an electrolyte-replacement fluid, found in the infant formula aisle of most grocery stores. Suitable for children of all ages, electrolyte replacement products are available in liquid or powder forms. These solutions replace potassium and other minerals lost through vomiting. Try to give these liquids to the child between bouts of vomiting. If your child is an infant and you breastfeed, continue to try to breastfeed as breast milk contains several necessary nutrients and electrolytes. Position an infant on his side or stomach when he vomits to prevent him from inhaling the vomitus and choking. Although vomiting is very common in children, according to Drugs.com, it's important to replace lost fluids to prevent dehydration.
Concerns
Dehydration from vomiting can damage your child's organs, says Drugs.com. Her heart may not function properly when she is dehydrated. If you're concerned that your child may be dehydrated or have an underlying condition that is causing the vomiting, contact your doctor immediately.
References
- FamilyDoctor.org: Nausea and Vomiting in Infants and Children
- "Gale Encyclopedia of Children's Health"; Kristine M. Krapp; 2005
- Drugs.com: Vomiting in children
