The common cause for vomiting in children is gastro-enteritis which is mainly due to virus infecting the gastrointestinal tract. The child will be unable to take enough fluids leading to dehydration. Vomiting is forceful ejection of contents of stomach and intestines through the mouth.

When to seek medical help

• projectile or forceful vomiting in an infant, particularly a baby who's less than 3 months old
• vomiting in an infant after the infant has taken an oral electrolyte solution for close to 24 hours
• vomiting starts again as soon as you try to resume the child's normal diet
• vomiting starts after a head injury
• vomiting is accompanied by fever (100.4° Fahrenheit/38° Celsius rectally in an infant under 6 months of age or more than 101-102°F/38.3-38.9°C in an older child)
• vomiting of bright green or yellow-green fluid
• your child's belly feels hard, bloated, and painful between vomiting episodes
• vomiting is accompanied by severe stomach pain
• vomit resembles coffee grounds (blood that mixes with stomach acid will be brownish in color and look like coffee grounds)
• Vomiting blood.

Causes of vomiting

• Gastro-enteritis.
• Gastro-esophageal reflux.
• Stomach ulcers (peptic ulcer disease).
• Malrotation.
• Food intolerance.
• Meningitis.
• Head injury.
• Abdominal migraines (cyclical vomiting syndrome) can cause repeated episodes of vomiting and abdominal pain.
• Appendicitis.
• Pyloric stenosis.
• Intestinal obstruction.
• Complications of vomiting:
• Aspiration pneumonia
• Dehydration.
• Electrolyte imbalance.

Treatment

• The most important treatment of vomiting is adequate fluid replacement to prevent dehydration. Use oral rehydration solution which ahs right mixture of sugar and electrolytes.
• Anti emetics like Domperidone, ondasterone, phenregan can be prescribed.
• Foods that exacerbate nausea and vomiting:-
• Tasteless foods that are too bland and poorly cooked can cause vomiting.
• Meals that are too rich and oily can also cause vomiting.
• Garlic is a condiment that can cause vomiting in some people. Hence its use must be restricted in very heavy foods.