What may increase your child's risk for a problem from vomiting?

Many conditions, medicines, and diseases interfere with your child's ability to heal or fight infection. Your child may be at risk for a more serious problem from his or her symptoms if any of the following are present. Be sure to tell your child's doctor.

Conditions

  • A newborn or younger than 3 months old
  • Developmental delay or failure to thrive
  • Exposure to tobacco smoke
  • A history of intussusception
  • Premature birth
  • Previous surgery to the abdomen

Medicines

  • Corticosteroids, such as prednisone
  • Medicines to prevent organ transplant rejection
  • Medicines used to treat cancer (chemotherapy)
  • Radiation therapy

Diseases

  • Cancer
  • Diabetes
  • Heart disease
  • Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection
  • Kidney disease
  • Structural problems of the digestive tract, including:
    • Hirschsprung's disease
    • Malrotation of the intestines
    • Pyloric stenosis


Author: Jan Nissl, RN, BSLast Updated: August 28, 2007
Medical Review: Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics

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