Vomiting, Age 3 And Younger: Check Your Symptoms

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When to See a Doctor

Does your child have vomiting and belly pain?

See significance of vomiting and belly pain if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

Call your child's health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not allow your child to eat or drink until you have talked with your child's doctor.

Yes

Does your child have severe belly pain?

Yes

Does your child have increasing pain that is clearly localized to one section of the belly?

Yes

Does your child have a new bulge around the belly button or in the groin that cannot be easily pushed back into the belly or groin?

Yes

Does your child have vomiting, belly pain, and dark red diarrhea?

Call your child's health professional today if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Note:

Do not allow your child to eat and allow only sips of clear liquids until you have talked with your child's doctor.

Yes

Has your child had moderate cramping or persistent belly pain for 4 hours or longer?

Yes

Has your child's belly pain increased, and he or she has begun to vomit more frequently?

You may wait to see if your child's symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Has your child had vomiting that comes and goes and mild belly pain for longer than 48 hours?

Your child needs an appointment within the next 1 to 2 weeks if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Has your colicky baby had occasional vomiting?

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	July 12, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Terrina Vail