Vomiting in children: causes, first aid, treatment, diet

The occurrence of vomiting in a child is not a sign of an independent disease. It appears as a symptom or a protective reaction of the body. Usually not a hazard, except in severe cases of dehydration. The article discusses the causes of vomiting in children and treatment methods for each pathology. It is worth remembering that vomiting in babies of the first year of life is a frequent occurrence, which young parents confuse with ordinary spitting up.

Intestinal infections

The cause of intestinal infections can be many pathogens that enter the human body. These are dysentery bacilli, salmonella, or similar microbes and viruses. A frequent case in medical practice is the appearance of vomiting in a child with rotovirus.

The pathological condition occurs due to insufficient hygiene. As a rule, young children are prone to vomiting, as they often do not wash their hands.

Also, vomiting can cause infections that enter the body in these ways:

• eating unwashed fruits;
• contact with animals;
• contact with the environment on the street (for example, with other people's toys).

When an infection enters the body, the disease manifests itself quickly. Parents may notice:

• lethargy of the child, lack of appetite;
• instead of lethargy, the child can be extremely active;
• rare attacks of vomiting and nausea appear;
• vomit contains undigested food and mucus;
• often there are abdominal pains, and later - loose stools;
• body temperature rises, headache appears.

Treatment of vomiting of infectious origin includes the following points:

• the appointment of antibacterial and antiviral drugs;
• the use of sorbents and enzymes;
• probiotics are used to restore microflora;
• “Smecta” for vomiting in children is used as part of complex therapy;
• symptomatic treatment is performed;
• drugs are prescribed to restore the amount of electrolytes;
• if vomiting does not stop, antiemetics may be prescribed .
  

Poisoning

Why does the child vomit? One of the most common causes of this condition is food poisoning. Children are more prone to poisoning than adults.

In this case, vomiting acts as a protective reaction of the body against bacteria from food. For example, if the provision is past due or damaged.

Symptoms of poisoning appear almost immediately after consuming the product. It is expressed as follows:

• there are abdominal pains, loose stools and vomiting;
• growing weakness and headache;
• temperature may rise (depending on the amount of poor-quality food);
• lack of appetite.

If the child has severe poisoning , then toxic shock develops. It can lead to loss of consciousness and requires an immediate emergency call. It is important to remember that any poisoning is dangerous to your health. It leads to dehydration.

It is important for parents to know how to properly treat the disease, but conducting therapy at home is unacceptable. For this child, they are hospitalized and carried out the following procedures:

• gastric lavage;
• administer an antidote if the poisoning is caused by toxins, poisons, drugs;
• drugs are prescribed to increase blood pressure, against seizures, to prevent blood clots and hepatoprotectors.

Infectious diseases of other organs

Vomiting in children with infections (acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections) can manifest itself as a reaction to the general condition and intoxication. It is not associated with gastrointestinal damage, as in the examples described above.

In such a case, vomiting is often single, in rare severe situations it is repeated more than two times.

An infectious condition is accompanied by such symptoms:

• temperature rise;
• weakness, drowsiness, headache;
• sleep disturbance and lack of appetite.

Against the background of high temperature, the child may experience abdominal pain and loose stools.

In addition to acute symptoms, typical symptoms also appear:

• runny nose, sneezing;
• sore throat;
• cough.

In this case, you need to seek the advice of a pediatrician. He will tell you how to treat a child's vomiting and infection.

As a rule, such therapy is used:

• antiviral and antibacterial;
• antihistamines are prescribed to relieve swelling of the ENT organs;
• depending on the condition of the child, the doctor chooses which drugs to prescribe - expectorant, antitussive or mucolytic.

For the treatment of children under the age of 3 years, the pediatrician recommends going to hospital.

Pathologies of the central nervous system

Among the many diagnoses, pathologies of the development of the central nervous system, which are the causes of vomiting in children, can be distinguished. Typically, this condition is the primary sign of CNS pathology, such as encephalitis, meningitis, or hydrocephalus.

Vomiting occurs due to inflammatory processes that occur in the structures of the brain. It does not lead to relief, but only exacerbates the patient's condition.

In addition to vomiting, the following symptoms are noted:

• general weakness, lack of appetite;
• increase in body temperature to 39-40 degrees;
• immobility;
• headaches are also possible.

In children under 2 years of age, there is a prolonged monotonous cry, constant irritability and tearfulness. All these symptoms are the result of a headache. In infants, a fontanel can bulge and blood vessels fill with blood (the vascular network is clearly visible, pulsating).

Vomiting with lesions of the central nervous system often occurs at night and lasts more than a month.

How to treat vomiting in a child? First you need to contact a pediatrician and a neurologist to establish a diagnosis. Depending on the conclusion of a specialist, a course of therapy is prescribed:

• If infectious and inflammatory diseases are suspected, the child needs hospitalization. In the hospital, tests will be taken, infection detected and treatment prescribed.
• If there are signs of accumulation of fluid or the presence of education, the child should be examined by a neurologist and neurosurgeon. After consultations, a joint treatment tactic is determined (it can be either medication or surgery).
  

Surgical diseases

Vomiting of bile in a child may indicate the presence of a surgical pathology, such as appendicitis or intestinal intussusception.

Such conditions are urgent surgical cases that are inflammatory in nature.

Vomiting may be accompanied by:

• headaches;
• subfebrile temperature;
• loss of appetite;
• pains around the navel;
• increased child anxiety.

Since young children cannot specifically describe the type of pain and indicate its localization, they press their legs to their stomach, constantly knocking them. In this case, the child experiences discomfort, irritability.

Any surgical pathology is a life-threatening condition. What to give with vomiting in a child and how to carry out treatment should be determined only by a doctor. Otherwise, there is a risk of serious complications or death.

Gastrointestinal diseases

In diseases of the digestive system that were not caused by infection, vomiting can also occur. It occurs due to inflammatory processes in the esophagus, stomach, intestines. Such diseases include gastritis, gastroduodenitis, and others.

If vomiting occurs in a child, it is necessary to consult a pediatrician and a gastroenterologist.

Among the non-infectious causes of vomiting, one can distinguish the body's reaction to taking medications, antibiotics, changing food products, and fever.

With pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract of the child, abdominal pains worry, they can be sharp or spasmodic. Sometimes the body temperature rises to subfebrile indicators.

After conducting an examination and obtaining test results, the doctor prescribes:

• anti-inflammatory therapy;
• “Smecta” for vomiting in children is prescribed as a sorbent;
• enzymes;
• blockers of secretory activity;
• drugs of the antacid group;
• individual diet is selected.

Vomiting

Vomiting during teething in children is one of the common causes of parents contacting a pediatrician. The child becomes moody, worries, cries, constantly bites his fingers or toys, eats poorly and sleeps little.

The pathological condition during teething can be for several reasons:

• copious salivation and the formation of a gag reflex;
• the penetration of infection, because the child is constantly pulling something in his mouth;
• poor appetite and swallowing large portions, which is due to pain at the time of feeding;
• accumulation of air due to frequent crying;
• high fever, which also appears due to teeth;
• forced feeding of the child.

The most dangerous condition that causes vomiting when teething in children is infection.

If the child vomited once, then you just need to observe his condition. If the attacks are repeated, then it is worth contacting the clinic.

It is important to remember that with vomiting, the risk of vomiting in the respiratory tract is high enough, which can cause an inflammatory process in the lungs.

Treating Similar Vomiting:

• Exclude forced feeding. Ensure food intake in equal parts with a short period of time.
• Gum massage several times a day. Massage with clean hands, gently and without pressure.
• You can use special ointments to relieve inflammation.
• To prevent saliva from causing inflammation, the child's face should be wiped with a soft cloth or washed with warm water.

Acetonemic vomiting

The cause of vomiting in children can be a violation of metabolic processes in the body, which provoke the accumulation of acetone in the blood. Vomiting in the pathological condition is indomitable. It manifests itself as a reaction to a sharp increase in ketone bodies and acetone in the internal environment of the body.

Vomiting due to metabolic disorders is more common in girls than in boys. According to statistics, approximately 5% of children under the age of 12 years are susceptible to the disease.

Symptoms are increasing. Strengthen within 5 days. Among them are:

• nausea, prolonged vomiting;
• child's refusal to eat and drink;
• breath odor;
• complaints of cramping abdominal pain.

A child with a similar diagnosis should be observed by a pediatrician. The doctor prescribes treatment depending on the phase of the pathology, talks about food restrictions.

The diet for vomiting in a child should be based on such principles:

• Exclusion of fatty and spicy products, extractive substances. You can leave vegetable oils and fish oil.
• Maintaining sufficient fluid.
• Limit acidic fruits.
• Eat less foods high in potassium, such as bananas, apricots, baked potatoes.
• Exclude products that cause increased gas formation and irritate the gastrointestinal mucosa. These include: onions, garlic, cabbage, legumes, radish, black bread.
  

Psycho-emotional factors

Attacks of vomiting in a child can occur against the background of a nervous state. It manifests itself as a reaction of the body to fear, excitement or resentment. Sometimes vomiting occurs as a way to attract the attention of others, in which case a person may not be aware of the connection between physical and mental conditions.

In all such cases, attacks of vomiting do not pose a threat to the life of the body. It is worth remembering that with the appearance of such a state once it can be repeated in the future under similar circumstances.

Specific treatment for such vomiting is not required. Therapy is to eliminate the factors that provoke a person's anxiety. If the condition of the neurosis does not go away, then doctors prescribe sedatives. Also, sometimes a consultation with a psychologist is required.

Vomiting due to injury

Occasionally, vomiting may occur after a fall or injury. Since the children are very active and do not sit still, sometimes they may not notice the bruises and not turn the problem to adults.

If parents suspect a head injury, then you should immediately show the child to the doctor. Untimely seeking help can lead to complications in the future.

Vomiting during concussion in a child is characterized by the following symptoms:

• facial skin changes color from pale to red;
• vomiting appears, can be either single or multiple;
• you may notice a temporary discrepancy between the pupils;
• a noticeable change in the pulse of the child, it slows or increases
• bleeding from the nose is observed and breathing is lost;
• pupils do not respond to stimuli.

To prescribe treatment, the doctor carefully examines the child, if necessary, appoints additional examinations. Typically, therapy includes taking medications:

• diuretics;
• potassium-containing;
• sedatives;
• antihistamines;
• painkillers.

After discharge from the hospital, recommendations are given for continuing treatment at home.

How to help a child with vomiting?

If vomiting is not caused by a pathological condition, it is not accompanied by a disorder of the stool and fever, it is worth remembering that the withdrawal of fluid can still harm the body. One of the dangerous complications is dehydration and damage to the mucous membrane of the digestive system.

What to do with vomiting in a child and what to give before the doctor arrives?

1. First you need to calm the baby. Regardless of age, children are afraid of this condition and do not know what to do. Additional experiences can provoke a second attack.
2. Prior to arrival and inspection, you can give your child a solution of "Regidron".

Further treatment tactics are determined after diagnosis.

What can not be done:

• Offer your child food in the first 6 hours after the last seizure.
• Give antiemetic drugs, painkillers, antipyretics, as they affect the clinical picture.

Every parent should know when an emergency call is needed immediately. It is necessary to call an ambulance if the child simultaneously displays the following symptoms:

• increase in body temperature;
• repeated vomiting more than 3 times in the last 2 hours;
• the child does not have urination, and vomiting intensifies;
• poisoning is possible;
• loose greenish stools;
• severe abdominal pain or cramps;
• vomiting after drinking a small amount of liquid.

The basic principles of the diet for vomiting in children

Many causes of vomiting in children can occur. Each of them should be accompanied by the introduction of a diet in order to enable the body to recover and prevent the appearance of a pathological condition.

The principles of diet:

• Food is allowed to be taken after 6-7 hours after the last attack.
• In the first hours after vomiting, it is allowed to give food only in liquid form. So the stomach will be easier to digest.
• Food should be divided into minimal portions and taken every 2 hours.
• To feed a child, you need to choose foods that are as fortified as possible. They should be light so as not to provoke a second attack.
• No need to force the child to eat. After the recovery period, the body itself will require more food.
• To make a detailed nutrition menu for vomiting, you need to contact a pediatrician. He will select the products according to the specifics of the disease.
• In the first three days after the last attack, it is better to exclude fatty and carbohydrate-containing foods.

The optimal diet for vomiting in a child under 1 year is breast milk.

For older children, it is recommended to give milk rice and buckwheat cereals as the main dish. In this case, milk must be diluted in a ratio of 1: 1.

If a child develops a severe pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, then the doctor may recommend a rigid diet, which will help a speedy recovery.

It is worth saying that there can be many reasons for the appearance of vomiting, but a similar pathological condition in any case requires the consultation of a pediatrician. After all, only a qualified doctor will be able to determine the correct tactics for further treatment.