Nausea and vomiting (peds)

Background

• Broad differential: Gastrointestinal, Neurologic, Metabolic, Respiratory, Renal, Infectious, Endocrine, Toxin-related, Behavioral
• If ill appearing, establish rapid IV access, or if needed IO.
  • Rapid finger stick blood sugar
  • Point of care pH and electrolytes (iSTAT)

Clinical Features

• Assess general appearance and behavior
• Evaluate volume status
• Abdominal and genitourinary examinations are important for potential surgical causes

Differential Diagnosis

Newborn	'
Obstructive intestinal anomalies	Esophageal stenosis/atresia, pyloric stenosis, intestinal stenosis/atresia, malrotation ± volvulus, incarcerated hernia, meconium ileus/plug, Hirschsprung disease, imperforate anus, enteric duplications
Neurologic	Intracranial bleed/mass, hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, kernicterus
Renal	Urinary tract infection, obstructive uropathy, renal insufficiency
Infectious	Viral illness, gastroenteritis, meningitis, sepsis
Metabolic/endocrine	Inborn errors of metabolism (urea cycle, amino/organic acid, carbohydrate), congenital adrenal hyperplasia
Miscellaneous	Ileus, gastroesophageal reflux, necrotizing enterocolitis, milk allergy, GI perforation
Infant (<12 mo)
Obstructive intestinal anomalies	Pyloric stenosis, malrotation ± volvulus, incarcerated hernia, Hirschsprung disease, enteric duplications, intussusception, foreign body, bezoars, Meckel diverticulum
Neurologic	Intracranial bleed/mass, hydrocephalus, cerebral edema
Renal	Urinary tract infection, obstructive uropathy, renal insufficiency
Infectious	Viral illness, gastroenteritis, meningitis, sepsis, otitis media, pneumonia, pertussis, hepatitis
Metabolic/endocrine	Inborn errors of metabolism, adrenal insufficiency, renal tubular acidosis
Miscellaneous	Ileus, gastroesophageal reflux, post-tussive, peritonitis, drug overdose
Child (>12 mo)
Obstructive intestinal anomalies	Malrotation ± volvulus, incarcerated hernia, Hirschsprung disease, intussusception, foreign body, bezoars, Meckel diverticulum, acquired esophageal stricture, peptic ulcer disease, adhesions, superior mesenteric artery syndrome
Neurologic	Intracranial bleed/mass, cerebral edema, postconcussive, migraine
Renal	Urinary tract infection, obstructive uropathy, renal insufficiency
Infectious	Viral illness, gastroenteritis, meningitis, sepsis, otitis media, pneumonia, hepatitis, streptococcal pharyngitis
Metabolic/endocrine	Inborn errors of metabolism, adrenal insufficiency, renal tubular acidosis, diabetes mellitus, Reye syndrome, porphyria
Miscellaneous	Ileus, gastroesophageal reflux, post-tussive, peritonitis, drug overdose, appendicitis, pancreatitis, gastritis, Crohn disease, pregnancy, psychogenic, cyclic vomiting syndrome

Diagnosis

• Significantly dehydrated if has 2 or more of the following (LR+ 6.1, CI:3.8-9.8)
  • Prolonged capillary refill (>2 sec)
  • Dry mucous membranes
  • Absence of tears
  • Abnormal overall appearance

Management

• Largely depends on etiology

Disposition

• If self-limited etiology
  • Well appearing
  • Tolerating fluids
  • Close follow-up as outpatient
• If dangerous etiology or unclear
  • IV access
  • Continuing resuscitation
  • Admit for treatment and/or observation

See Also

• Nausea and vomiting

External Links

Pediatric Emergency Playbook -- Vomiting in the Young Child: Nothing or Nightmare