Vomiting in a child

When a child suddenly has vomiting, it always causes his parents to be anxious and worried. Why can such a symptom occur, is it dangerous, and what should parents do to alleviate the condition of a child with vomiting?

Due to contraction of the diaphragm, the muscles of the stomach and the muscles of the abdominal wall, the contents of the stomach are released through the esophagus and mouth, and can also get into the baby’s nose. The diaphragm in a child descends, the upper part of the stomach relaxes, and the lower part spasms. This is the mechanism of vomiting.

This reflex is stimulated by a special "gag" center, which is located in the brain. To the excitation of this center leads:

• Irritation of the nerve endings in the stomach (for example, during infection, overeating);
• Exposure to chemicals (for example, drugs in the blood);
• The influence of mental factors (for example, the reaction to the spectacle, experiences);
• Middle ear receptor irritation (when rocking).

Calling a doctor to a child with vomiting should in each case of the onset of this symptom, since it is better to be safe and give the pediatrician to examine the baby if it is not dangerous than to miss the opportunity to begin treatment of a serious disease from the very first manifestations of it. They also distinguish situations in which it is impossible to delay a doctor’s call. You should call an ambulance if your child has:

• Vomiting fountain.
• A loose stool appeared and the temperature rose.
• Attacks of vomiting are repeated many times.
• There were severe pains in the abdomen.
• In the emitted masses visible impurities of blood or bile.
• Appeared disorders of consciousness.
• There are symptoms of dehydration.

A careful examination of the masses that the child has isolated during vomiting helps in identifying the cause of the deteriorated condition of the baby.

Such vomitus will have a yellowish-green tint. They appear during repeated episodes of vomiting and are often characteristic of food poisoning and gastroenteritis.

Blood impurities can be represented:

• Veining or pink tint of allocated masses. It indicates a small bleeding from the gastric mucosa, for example, due to gastritis.
• More red blood. This is a characteristic sign of bleeding from large vessels in the stomach or esophagus, which is a great danger to a child’s life.
• Dark shade of vomit (black or brown). It is also a very dangerous symptom of bleeding in the stomach or esophagus. This color is formed when the effect of gastric juice on iron in the blood.

In determining the cause of vomiting, a survey of parents by a physician is of great importance, therefore, when communicating with a pediatrician, you should accurately answer the following questions:

• When was the first episode of vomiting and how many attacks were there in total?
• Is vomiting related to eating noticed?
• How much vomit is released, how do they look and are there any impurities in them?
• What other symptoms does the baby have?

In addition to the survey to determine the causes of vomiting, the doctor may prescribe a baby the following studies:

• Blood test - to identify signs of inflammation.
• Endoscopy and X-ray - to determine congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract.

In the treatment of vomiting affects primarily the cause that caused this symptom. If the baby is suspected of having acute surgical problems or congenital diseases of the digestive tract, hospitalization is indicated.

Episode vomiting scares any child, so first of all you should calm the baby and constantly stay close to the baby. When the seizure is over, wash the baby, give him some water to rinse your mouth. If the child is sleeping or lying, it is important to prevent the contents of the stomach from entering the respiratory system. To do this, the baby's head should always be turned to the side.

The total amount of fluid that is given to a child after vomiting is calculated based on the weight of the baby. After each attack, give 2 ml of solution for each kilogram of the child’s mass. At the same time, remember that a liquid, drunk after vomiting in large quantities, can provoke a new episode. That is why a child younger than a year is given a diluted solution with a pause of 10 minutes for a teaspoon, and for older children - 10 ml.

Gradually increase the volume of the solution:

• In the second hour, every 15 minutes, 10 ml.
• In the third hour every 20 minutes, 15 ml.
• From the fourth hour every half hour, 30 ml.

You can prepare a solution for otpaivaniya child independently, for example, adding sugar and salt to boiled water. For one liter of water, take from 4 to 8 teaspoons of sugar and a teaspoon of salt.

To restore the balance of minerals and prevent dehydration, you can make a drink with honey. In half cup of warm water, dissolve the honey (take 2 tablespoons), baking soda (take a quarter of a teaspoon) and salt (enough pinch). If such a drink is prepared for a baby younger than a year, honey can be replaced with sugar.

The doctor may prescribe a child with vomiting zinc drugs (studies have confirmed their effectiveness in diarrhea), sorbents and probiotics, as well as other symptomatic agents needed in a particular case.

1. You should not try to make the baby gastric lavage, because in some cases it can increase vomiting and greatly worsen the condition of the crumbs.
2. You can not give your child anti-vomiting drugs, as well as other drugs before the baby is examined by a doctor.
3. It is forbidden to give the kidney a solution of potassium permanganate for drinking, since it is possible to make a mistake with the concentration or to dissolve the crystals poorly, causing mucosal burns in the child.

If the treatment is effective, then you will notice an improvement in the baby’s well-being:

• The child will behave more actively.
• Vomiting and diarrhea appear less frequently and then disappear completely.
• The child has an appetite.