Vomiting and Diarrhea in Children: Causes, Care, and When to Call Your Pediatric Provider

Few things are as stressful as vomiting and diarrhea in children, and the team at Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents is here to help you treat your child’s symptoms, make decisions about care, and offer some peace of mind.

Understanding Vomiting in Children

There is a wide variety of common causes for vomiting and diarrhea in children, and it’s important to understand what is normal and what requires care from your provider. Excessive vomiting and diarrhea can be dangerous in certain circumstances, with dehydration being the primary risk. Understanding what might be the cause of your child’s illness, determining its severity, and finding ways to keep them hydrated and comfortable are all extremely important.

Common Causes of Vomiting in Children

When it comes to children, it can be difficult to determine the cause of vomiting, but there are some indicators to look for when they are feeling this ill. Some of the causes of vomiting in children include:

• Viral gastritis (Stomach Flu)
• Food poisoning
• Motion sickness
• Excessive coughing
• Migraine headaches
• Food allergies
• Medication on an empty stomach
• If symptoms are several, please call 911 or go to the Emergency Department

When to Call a Primary Care Provider About Vomiting

If your child exhibits vomiting symptoms that also coincide with the serious causes listed above, or if they have a compromised immune system, we recommend that you call your PCP immediately for guidance, or go to the Emergency Department. You can call our office if you have established primary care with us. For other causes, there are a few signs that point to your child needing more care than what you can provide at home:

• Signs of dehydration (listed below)
• Persistent stomach ache when not vomiting
• More than 2 instances of vomiting in a child under 12 weeks old
• Fever in babies under 12 weeks old (Under 30 days old need to visit the Emergency Department)
• Fever higher than 104°
• Unable to keep any food down for 8 or more hours

Causes of Vomiting With Diarrhea in Children

If your child is vomiting and experiencing diarrhea, these combined symptoms point to a different variety of causes, including:

• Viral gastroenteritis
• Food poisoning
• Bacterial GI infection

The main concern with vomiting and diarrhea in children is dehydration, which can be exacerbated when both symptoms are occurring.

What You Should Know About Vomiting With Diarrhea

As mentioned above, dehydration is the main concern with this type of illness. If your child has a weakened or compromised immune system, however, we recommend calling your PCP for guidance, regardless of whether or not they are exhibiting signs of dehydration. If your child is experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call us at our office here in Omaha, Nebraska.

Signs of Dehydration Parents Should Watch For

The main danger of vomiting in children, and especially vomiting with diarrhea is dehydration. This occurs when the body loses too much fluid. Severe dehydration can be extremely dangerous, and once they have reached this stage, they need to be seen by a provider right away. Signs of dehydration include:

• No urination in more than 8 hours
• Very dark urine
• No tears when crying
• Extremely dry lips
• Persistent stomach ache when not vomiting
• More than 2 instances of vomiting in a child under 12 weeks old
• Fever in babies under 12 weeks old (Under 30 days old need to visit the Emergency Department)
• Fever higher than 104°
• Unable to keep any food down for 8 or more hours
• Dizziness and weakness that prevents the child from standing upright

How to Help Your Child Feel Better at Home

For mild vomiting and diarrhea in children, there are some methods you can try at home to help them feel better while they wait to recover from their illness. It’s important to keep them hydrated as best you can, and try some of the following tips:

• If your child has vomited more than once, you can offer them small amounts of an Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) like pedialyte or half-strength Gatorade (or other electrolyte-replenishing sports drink. Contact your provider here at Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents for guidance on keeping babies and infants hydrated.
• Give small amounts of ORS in increments of 5 minutes — 10-14 mL, or instruct your older child to sip a cup of ORS slowly
• Stop offering solid food until your child has stopped vomiting for 4-6 hours.
• When you do begin reintroducing solid foods, offer easily-digestible starchy foods like mild crackers, bread or toast, and dry cereal.

When Vomiting and Diarrhea Require Immediate Medical Attention

If your child has vomiting and diarrhea and experiences any of the following symptoms, they must be seen by a medical professional immediately in the Emergency Department.

• Cannot be woken up
• Extreme lethargy, inability to stand upright
• Fever in babies 30 days old

How Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents Can Help

Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents was founded by a mother who knows exactly how scary it can be when kids get sick. That’s why Nebraska Home Pediatrics & Parents is designed to provide a family healthcare experience that helps kids and parents feel comfortable, cared for, and in good hands. If your child is experiencing vomiting, diarrhea, or both, and you’re worried about their care, please give us a call here at our Omaha, Nebraska clinic. If you’re calling during after hours, visit our after-hours nurse triage page. If your child is experiencing emergency symptoms, take them to the ER.