Vomiting in Children

• Repeated vomiting
• Unable to keep fluids down
• Reduced urine output
• Dry mouth or no tears
• Abdominal pain
• Weight loss or poor feeding
• Vomiting that keeps returning without infection

Common causes include viral gastroenteritis, food-related illness and reflux. Persistent, recurrent or unusual vomiting needs assessment because the possible causes differ across infancy, childhood and adolescence.

• Vomiting keeps returning
• The child is losing weight or not growing
• There is associated headache or abdominal pain
• Symptoms continue after an infection has passed
• The cause or treatment remains unclear

• Hydration and clinical assessment
• Review of timing, colour, triggers and associated symptoms
• Selective testing if the pattern suggests another cause
• A rehydration, treatment and follow-up plan

• Note frequency and colour
• Track fluid intake and urine output
• Bring current medicines and previous reports
• Do not force large amounts of fluid at once