Expert Reveals Tips on How to Cope with Nausea and Vomiting in Children

Children experience nausea and vomiting for various reasons.

But as a parent, at what point should you press the panic button?

We sat down with Pharmacist Nazatul Amira Hamzah from Primabumi Sdn Bhd to learn more about nausea and vomiting in children and how parents can help their kids.

Nazatul is a qualified pharmacist with 10 years of experience in pharmacy practice involving both hospital and community settings.

She currently holds the position of Pharmacist and Key Account Manager at a renowned pharmaceutical company in Kuala Lumpur.

Here’s a pharmacist’s advice on dealing with nausea and vomiting in children.

Question 1: Can you explain further on what does it mean by nausea and vomiting?

Vomiting is when the stomach’s contents are expelled through the mouth.

In children, nausea and vomiting typically resolve on their own and are not harmful, unless caused by a major underlying illness.

It’s essential to be vigilant if your child experiences persistent or severe vomiting, as it might signal serious problems like intestinal obstruction, appendicitis, and infections such as meningitis or urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Nausea is the uncomfortable feeling before vomiting.

When your child feels nauseous, they may express dizziness and an increased heart rate.

Question 2: Is my child’s vomiting caused by food poisoning?

While food poisoning is a frequent trigger for vomiting, there are alternative explanations, including:

• minor infections of the gut system, commonly termed ‘stomach flu’
• motion sickness, also known as travel sickness
• acid reflux, also known as gastritis
• food allergies
• infection by intestinal worms
• medications, especially anti-cancer drugs
• accidental ingestion of harmful chemicals

Question 3: Is food poisoning same as stomach flu?

Food poisoning and stomach flu (also clinically referred to as acute gastroenteritis) share many similar symptoms.

These symptoms include nausea, vomiting, constipation or diarrhoea, fever, and abdominal cramps.

However, they are not the same.

The table below lists down the differences.

Question 4: What can I do to prevent food poisoning and stomach flu from happening to my child?

To reduce the risk of food poisoning and stomach flu in your family, maintain cleanliness in food preparation.

Ensure meats and seafood are fully cooked, choose trusted canned foods, refrigerate perishables promptly, and discard abnormal-looking foods.

When travelling to other countries, exercise caution and only drink bottled or treated water.

Question 5: How should I manage my child’s problem with nausea and vomiting?

Children, due to their smaller size, are more susceptible to the impacts of electrolyte imbalances and fluid loss.

Electrolytes, which include sodium, potassium, and magnesium, are essential minerals that aid in optimal fluid absorption in our bodies.

Regardless of the cause of vomiting, the most crucial step is to ensure that your child remains adequately hydrated and nourished at all times.

To help your child recover from nausea and vomiting:

• Avoid giving solid meals or milk products to a child who has been throwing up.
• Provide small volumes of liquid:
  • For infants, administer 1 tablespoon of oral electrolyte solution (ORS) every 15 to 20 minutes. Increase breastfeeding frequency but shorten the duration.
  • For children, offer 1 to 2 tablespoons of Oral Rehydration Salts (ORS) or diluted juice every 15 minutes. Wait 20 to 30 minutes and try again if your child vomits.
• Gradually increase the liquid intake once there has been no vomiting for 3 to 4 hours.

After 8 hours without vomiting:

• For infants, resume normal breastfeeding, and if formula milk is used, introduce it gradually.
• For children, provide bland foods like rice, toast, cereal, and crackers.

Your child may return to their regular diet once vomiting has ceased for 24 hours. If vomiting recurs, consult with your doctor.

Question 6: How do I know that my child might be dehydrated?

Signs of dehydration include decreased peeing, dry mouth, a high heart rate, lack of tears when crying, extreme thirst, light-headedness, and sunken eyes.

If these signs are present, your child may be dehydrated.

Question 7: Are there any medicines to stop vomiting in children?

Yes, there are.

However, it’s essential to accurately identify the cause of your child’s upset stomach initially.

If nausea and vomiting result from food poisoning, food allergies, or exposure to harmful chemicals, vomiting can be beneficial in expelling potential toxins from your child’s body.

Suppressing their vomiting reflex in such cases might do more harm than good.

On the other hand, anti-vomiting medicine can be beneficial for motion sickness.

Medicines for this purpose are classified as pharmacy items, meaning they can only be sold under the supervision of a registered pharmacist.

Additional medicines like prochlorperazine, promethazine, and metoclopramide may be prescribed to address nausea and vomiting.

However, due to the high incidence of side effects, these medicines must be avoided in children under 2 years old and used cautiously in those older than 2 years.

It’s strongly recommended to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before initiating any treatment for your child.

Question 8: My child is also complaining of abdominal pain. Is there something I can give them to ease it?

Yes. There are liquid products containing dicyclomine and simethicone that assist in relieving pain and promoting burping in infants and children.

These products work by dissolving gas bubbles and relaxing gut muscles, effectively alleviating flatulence and abdominal discomfort caused by trapped gas.

Gripe water is suitable for use in infants and children from 1 month old.

For the most appropriate treatment and dosage, it’s advisable to consult with your healthcare professional.

Question 10: When should I bring my child to the doctor?

It is strongly recommended that you seek immediate medical help if your child displays any of the following signs:

• vomiting accompanied by a high-grade fever (more than 38°c)
• vomiting along with diarrhea, where your child experiences diarrhoea persisting for over 24 hours or refuses liquids orally for more than 6 hours
• vomiting accompanied by coughing
• any indications of dehydration
• vomit that appears greenish-yellow, resembles coffee grounds, or contains blood
• a hard, bloated, or painful belly
• extreme irritability
• swelling, redness, or pain in the scrotum (in a boy)
• forceful vomiting, particularly in a newborn
• vomiting following an injury to the head
• yellow discoloration of the eyes
• breathing difficulties
• persistent vomiting, coupled with an inability to feed

Source: Nazatul Amira Hamzah, Pharmacist at Primabumi Sdn Bhd

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.

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