Vomiting in children

Abstract Vomiting may be defined as the active expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth and/or nose. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It has a wide variety of causes, many of which originate from outside the abdomen. Some of its causes are age-specific, which may help with the diagnosis, as may the appearance of the vomitus. A structured approach to the assessment of a child with vomiting is required to elucidate its underlying cause. This chapter includes a discussion on the causes of vomiting in the neonate, as well as in the infant and older child. The value of making an early provisional diagnosis, together with active exclusion of specific life-threatening conditions, is emphasized.