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What Causes Abdominal Pain With Vomiting In A Child?
Question: my 3 yr old daughter has not eaten a thing in 4 days and is barely drinking. on Monday we were on a family trip when she vomited the first time and did so 3.more times in 12 hrs. she vomited 3 times more over the next 24 hrs but hasn't vomited since.
she is constantly complaining of a sore and keeps refusing food. what should I do
she is constantly complaining of a sore and keeps refusing food. what should I do
Brief Answer:
Information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If she is barely drinking, and continues to have abdominal pain, she should be seen by a doctor.
While she may have a viral gastroenteritis (some people call this "stomach flu"), which will usually go away on it's own, she could instead have appendicitis. In children under 5 years old, they don't always get the classic pain in the lower right abdomen. Instead, they sometimes have non-specific generalized pain in the abdomen. And nausea and vomiting.
In addition, if she is not taking in enough fluids, she can become dehydrated. And younger children can become "ketotic" faster than bigger people, without an adequate source of carbohydrate and fluids.
So, I think it is time to take her in to be seen. In the US I would recommend the ER. In XXXXXXX can she be seen at an A and E?
The doctor will examine her abdomen, as well as a general exam to see if there is another source of infection. He/she will likely do a complete blood count (CBC) and a chemistry panel. The chemistry panel will show if she has an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium (which can happen with dehydration and vomiting). It should also check her blood sugar.
If she cannot tolerate fluids, she may need an IV.
If it isn't clear as to the source of her abdominal pain, then an abdominal ultrasound is usually done.
But I wouldn't wait further to take her in if there is abdominal pain that is not resolving, and if she is not taking fluids.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
Information.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
If she is barely drinking, and continues to have abdominal pain, she should be seen by a doctor.
While she may have a viral gastroenteritis (some people call this "stomach flu"), which will usually go away on it's own, she could instead have appendicitis. In children under 5 years old, they don't always get the classic pain in the lower right abdomen. Instead, they sometimes have non-specific generalized pain in the abdomen. And nausea and vomiting.
In addition, if she is not taking in enough fluids, she can become dehydrated. And younger children can become "ketotic" faster than bigger people, without an adequate source of carbohydrate and fluids.
So, I think it is time to take her in to be seen. In the US I would recommend the ER. In XXXXXXX can she be seen at an A and E?
The doctor will examine her abdomen, as well as a general exam to see if there is another source of infection. He/she will likely do a complete blood count (CBC) and a chemistry panel. The chemistry panel will show if she has an electrolyte imbalance such as low potassium (which can happen with dehydration and vomiting). It should also check her blood sugar.
If she cannot tolerate fluids, she may need an IV.
If it isn't clear as to the source of her abdominal pain, then an abdominal ultrasound is usually done.
But I wouldn't wait further to take her in if there is abdominal pain that is not resolving, and if she is not taking fluids.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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