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Projectile Vomiting in Children

Projectile vomiting in children can be a frightening experience for parents. This is a form of vomiting where the stomach contents are forcibly pushed out of the body through vigorous vomiting. Projectile vomiting can strain the esophagus and stomach. While projectile vomiting can be a short-lived event in many children, it can also be an indication of serious health issues. Dehydration is a significant risk, particularly if the vomiting continues over a period of several days or longer and is accompanied with fever and diarrhea.

  1. Flu

    • One of the conditions that can cause projectile vomiting in children is the flu. Stomach flu in a child is a form of gastroenteritis that lasts for several days and is usually accompanied by fever and diarrhea. According to Thomson Gale of GALE Cengage Learning, many forms of stomach flu are caused by viruses and run their course in two to three days. There is no cure for viral gastroenteritis and while projectile vomiting may end in a few days, diarrhea may continue for up to two weeks before completely resolving.

    Food Poisoning

    • Another condition that may cause projectile vomiting in children is food poisoning. Food poisoning can occur with almost any type of food and may be viral or bacterial in nature. Gale states that usually projectile vomiting that is the result of food poisoning lasts only a few hours or one to two days at the most. Children with this form of stomach upset usually experience diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, nausea and fever.

    Pyloric Stenosis

    • Pyloris stenosis is a condition in which the stomach walls are thickened and the valve that allows the stomach to empty is blocked. According to KidsHealth, infants with this condition will begin to experience projectile vomiting within two to six weeks of birth and it will occur every time they eat. If this condition does not improve with Pedialyte, then immediately seek help from the doctor. The resolution of this problem is a sonogram, followed by a surgical procedure to open up the stomach valve.

    Intestinal Obstruction

    • One condition that may result in projectile vomiting is an intestinal obstruction. Children who have developed an intestinal obstruction will experience abdominal pain along with vomiting, according to Gale. Additionally, they will probably be having difficulty having bowel movements and passing gas. This is a condition that can occur at any point in a child's life, but may be particularly common in infants or very young children. If the child has an abdominal obstruction, the vomit will be bilious and green or yellow in color. Intestinal obstruction is an extremely serious event and should be addressed immediately by a visit to the emergency room or doctor.

    Hepatitis

    • According to Gale, hepatitis can be the cause of projectile vomiting. The most common forms of hepatitis are A, B and C. Children may become infected with hepatitis through contact with others or through contaminated fecal materials or blood. The most common symptoms of hepatitis are jaundice, vomiting and upper right abdominal pain. The liver is the organ that is most affected by hepatitis and it will become inflamed and have difficulty functioning as a result of the infection.

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