Today we will consider the main causes of vomiting in a child. To begin, let's define this unpleasant phenomenon. Vomiting in a newborn is a physiological effect of the baby’s body, aimed at removing food and other substances by reverse movement (antiperistaltics). It should be remembered that the manifestation of vomiting in children is a purely reflex act (unconscious action), although in some cases, due to volitional efforts, adults are able to cause such gastric movements.
The first and most common cause of such a phenomenon as vomiting in a newborn is a deviation in the gastrointestinal tract, however, this is not always the case. For example, in newborn babies, a process of regurgitation of food consumed often occurs, which in no case is a gastric pathology. Such a manifestation may be associated with overeating, but most often it is simply a physiological feature. If the child spits up a little, then this is not a reason for medical intervention.
The next reason, which is in second place in frequency, is intestinal diseases or an allergic reaction to some food components (milk, complementary foods). If the process of vomiting in your child is accompanied by uncharacteristic rashes, you should immediately contact a pediatrician who will prescribe further treatment aimed at eliminating allergic manifestations.
If it comes to a stomach infection, then the necessary measures will completely depend on the severity of the child's condition. A mild infection with no febrile manifestations can be pacified at home (under the supervision of a physician).
Urgent medical care is required if the vomiting cycles do not stop, the body becomes even more dehydrated, the general condition of the baby worsens, and body temperature rises. Often, with such problems, it is necessary to hospitalize the child. Advice to parents: do not resist such measures, because in most cases, you can replenish the lost fluid only by direct infusion through a vein (dropper). In the same way, antibacterial substances can be injected to eliminate the infection.
By the way, vomiting in a newborn and a young child can occur with ordinary acute respiratory viral infections, accompanied by high temperature and general intoxication of the body.
Another common cause of vomiting in newborn babies may be pyloric stenosis, resulting from a malformation of the stomach (more precisely, its pyloric department). In this case, proper treatment is carried out only by a surgical method, which depends on the severity of the disease. But pyloric stenosis should not be confused with an outwardly very similar pylorospasm. With pylorospasm, there are no violations of food patency.
Abundant vomiting in a newborn - “fountain” - may be associated with immaturity or damage to the central nervous system (central nervous system) that occurs during pregnancy or during a failed birth. Neurologist must help to cope with this scourge.
Also, the cause of vomiting can be a disease (meningitis) or a brain injury (concussion). In this case, vomiting does not bring the desired relief (the child does not calm down after the attack), but only causes additional pain, since, in the first place, it is associated with a disorder of the vomiting center.
Sometimes vomiting occurs in children under one year of age, which are distinguished by good health and receive good nutrition. This happens due to the appearance of ketone bodies, which act directly on the brain of the child (acetonemic vomiting). This may be a symptom of diabetes, but most often such vomiting occurs due to excessive consumption of fats, which is why the pancreas is simply not able to digest them.
And the last cause of vomiting is neuropsychiatric disorders, which are often not so easy to deal with. The conditions for the occurrence of vomiting can be completely different: for the smallest, this is a meeting with a stranger, lack of parents; in older children - longing, unwillingness to do anything, fear. Children's neurologists are called upon to help in this situation , and a consultation with a child psychotherapist will not be superfluous.
Vomiting in a baby is a formidable symptom that cannot be ignored - be sure to consult a doctor to determine the cause and purpose of treatment! Self-medication is dangerous and can lead to sad consequences.
During vomiting, never (!) Leave the baby alone, keep it upright and rinse your mouth with boiled water.