Vomiting Flashcards
What are the causes of vomiting in infancy
Gastro-oesophageal reflux
Posseting/regurgitation
Overfeeding
Infection: Gastroenteritis, Whooping cough, UTI, pyelonephritis, Meningitis
Intestinal obstruction:
- Pyloric stenosis
- Intussusception
- Malrotation of the gut with volvulus
- Duodenal atresia
- Duplication cysts
- Strangulated inguinal hernia
- Hirschprung disease
What are the causes of vomiting in childhood
Infections: Gastroenteritis, Systemic infection, Toxic ingestion, Medications, Whooping cough, RTIs, otitis media, UTI, Appendicitis
Intestinal obstruction: Intussusception, Malrotation with volvulus, Adhesions, Foreign body
Raised intracranial pressure
Coeliac disease
What are the causes of vomiting in adolescence
GI: Gastroenteritis, Peptic ulceration, Appendicitis, Coeliac disease
Infection: Gastroenteritis, Systemic infection
Neuro: Migraine, Raised ICP
DKA
Alcohol/drug ingestion
Pregnancy
Bulimia Nervosa
Testicular torsion
What are the red flags for vomiting
Bile stained vomit
Blood in the vomit
Drowsiness
Refusal to feed
Dehydration
Projectile vomiting
Vomiting at the end of paroxysmal coughing
Abdominal distension
Hepatosplenomegaly
Faltering growth
What is posseting
The return of small amounts of food during or shortly after eating
<6 months
Effortless, low-volume, frequent ‘spills’ from the mouth, accompanies the return of swallowed air
Can be reduced by winding the baby during and after a feed and gentle handling + propping the baby up after a feed
What is suggested by frequent, forceful vomiting
Pyloric stenosis
What is suggested by bile stained vomit
Intestinal obstruction
What is suggested by haematemesis
Bleed from the oesophagus, stomach, or upper gut e.g. peptic ulcer
What is suggested by blood in the stool
Bacterial gastroenteritis
Infant cow’s milk protein allergy
Acute surgical condition
What is suggested by vomiting, altered level of alertness and seizures
Infection
Intracranial mass
Subdural haematoma
Hydrocephalus
