Vomiting, Age 3 and Younger

Emergencies

Yes	Does your child have any of the following symptoms that require emergency treatment? Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.

• Severe dehydration
• Shock
• Severe difficulty breathing
• Extreme sleepiness or very difficult to arouse

Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your child's symptoms.

If your child has any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first:

• Abdominal pain: Go to the topic Abdominal Pain, Age 11 and Younger.
• Vomiting within 24 hours of a head injury: Go to the topic Head Injury, Age 3 and Younger.
• Vomiting after ingestion of a known or suspected poison: Go to the topic Poisoning.

Yes	Does your child have vomiting with symptoms of serious illness?
Yes	Do you think your child's vomiting may be caused by an injury?
Yes	Has your child vomited after 2 feedings or meals in a row?
Yes	Has there been blood or yellow or green liquid (bile) in your child's vomit?
Yes	Does your child have vomiting and a fever?
Yes	Does your child have vomiting and belly pain?
Yes	Does your child have repeated vomiting (he or she has vomited many times and is unable to keep fluids down between vomiting)?
Yes	Does your child have vomiting and dehydration?
Yes	Has your child had intermittent, ongoing vomiting without other symptoms?
Yes	Do you think your child's vomiting may be caused by a medicine?
Yes	Is your child having problems with spitting up?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Does your child have any of the following symptoms?

• Diarrhea: Go to the topic Diarrhea, Age 11 and Younger.
• Ear pain or tugging on the ear and fever: Go to the topic Ear Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
• Symptoms of a urinary tract infection: Go to the topic Urinary Problems and Injuries, Age 11 and Younger.
• Sore throat, headache, and fever: Go to the topic Sore Throat.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

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Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS	Last Updated: July 12, 2007
Medical Review:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics
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