Vomiting in babies, what are the causes and dangers?

Although it's hard to hear, vomiting in babies is a fairly common condition. Your child may experience vomiting several times during the first year. There are many childhood illnesses that can cause vomiting in babies, but vomiting usually resolves quickly without treatment.

It doesn't mean that the facts above calm your mind. Feelings of helplessness as a parent watching their baby suffer, coupled with the fear that something serious might happen, and the desire to do things so that your child can recover may make you stressed and worried. It's good to learn as much as you can about the causes of vomiting in children and what you can do about it the next time your child vomits.

The child vomits fluid, is it because of illness or is it just spitting up?

There is a difference between actual vomiting and spitting up. Vomiting is the forcibly expelling stomach contents through the mouth. Vomiting occurs when the abdominal muscles and thoracic diaphragm contract strongly but the stomach relaxes. This reflex action is triggered by the "vomiting center" in the brain after being stimulated by:

Nerves from the stomach and intestines when the gastrointestinal tract becomes irritated or swollen due to infection or blockage
Chemicals in the blood, such as medicines
Psychological stimulation of terrible sight or smell
Stimulation from the middle ear, such as vomiting caused by motion sickness

On the other hand, spitting up is melting the bowels that often occur when a baby burps. Spitting up is most commonly seen in babies under 1 year of age. Spitting out of the mouth like a leaky seepage, without any contraction of the stomach. While the vomiting liquid gushes out, accompanied by contractions of the abdominal muscles.

Spitting up is a natural and natural reaction, because the child's body tries to expel the air that the baby swallowed while breastfeeding. Vomiting is a sign of digestive disorders in the baby.

Causes of vomiting in babies

The common causes of vomiting in children vary according to age. During the first few months, for example, most babies will leach a small amount of formula or breast milk (spit up), usually about an hour after being fed. Spitting up will occur less frequently if the child continues to burp and if active activities are restricted immediately after eating. The frequency of spitting up tends to decrease as the baby gets older, but may persist in mild forms until 10-12 months of age. Spitting up is harmless and doesn't interfere with normal weight gain.

Vomiting may occur occasionally during the first month. If it appears repeatedly or the spray is strong and unusual, contact your doctor. It may be just a mild eating disorder, but it may be that vomiting in a baby is a sign of a more serious condition.

Prolonged vomiting in infants, what is the reason?

1. Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

Between 2 weeks and 4 months of age, prolonged severe vomiting in infants may be caused by thickening of the muscle at the end of the abdomen called hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. This condition prevents food from entering the intestine so it requires immediate medical assistance. Surgery is usually needed to open the narrowed area. An important sign of this condition is severe vomiting that occurs for about 15-30 minutes or less after each meal. Whenever you notice it, call your doctor as soon as possible.

2. Gastric acid reflux

Spitting up sometimes gets worse in the first few weeks or months of a baby's life. Even though it's not great, it shows up all the time. This occurs when the muscles at the lower end of the esophagus relax too much and allow the stomach contents to come back up. This condition is called acid reflux disease, or GERD. This condition is usually controlled in the following ways:

Thicken milk with a small amount of baby cereal as directed by your pediatrician
Avoid overfeeding or giving smaller meals more frequently
Burp your baby often
Leave baby in a safe, calm, upright position for at least 30 minutes after feeding

If these steps don't work, your pediatrician may refer you to a gastrointestinal specialist.

3. Infection

After the first few months, the most common cause of vomiting in babies is an infection of the stomach or intestines. The most commonly caused by viral infections, although occasionally bacteria and even parasites may be the cause. Vomiting due to infection may also be accompanied by fever, diarrhea, and occasionally nausea and abdominal pain. The infection is usually contagious; if the child experiences it, some of his playmates are likely to be infected.

Rotavirus is the leading cause of vomiting in infants and young children, with symptoms often progressing to diarrhea and fever. This virus is very contagious, but there is a vaccine that can prevent it from spreading. Rotavirus is one cause of viral gastroenteritis, but other types of viruses - such as noroviruses, enteroviruses, and adenoviruses - can also cause it.

Infection outside the gastrointestinal tract will sometimes cause vomiting. These infections include respiratory system infections, urinary tract infections, otitis media, meningitis, and appendicitis. Some of these conditions require medical treatment, so be aware of any further problematic symptoms, regardless of your child's age, and call your pediatrician if they appear.

Blood or bile (green mucus) in the vomit
Severe stomach pain
Repeated vigorous vomiting
The stomach is swollen or enlarged
Weakness or irritability
Convulsions
Signs or symptoms of dehydration, including dry mouth, crying but not being able to cry out, and urinating less frequently
Not able to drink enough fluids
Vomiting continued for more than 24 hours