Vomiting in children of any age 2026

First of all we must differentiate between regurgitating or vomiting. With regurgitation, a small amount of milk comes out effortlessly, often at the same time as the belch. With vomiting, the contents of the stomach are forcibly expelled and are much more abundant.

Vomiting appears when the diaphragm and abdominal muscles contract by order of the so-called vomiting center, which is located in the brain. This center is activated when the child suffers an infection in the digestive system or ear or when there are abnormal substances in the blood (such as toxic products or medications).

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The causes can be many and depending on age, some are more common than others. There are children who vomit very easily, being especially common in infants and young children. Some children from time to time have episodes of vomiting that do not stop with the usual measures (cyclic vomiting). This is not an illness, although sometimes they have to go to the emergency room. The processes that are most frequently associated with vomiting are infectious: from banal catarrhal symptoms (the most frequent, since cough and mucus frequently produce vomiting), others such as tonsillitis, otitis, urinary infections, etc., to more serious processes such as pneumonia, meningitis or others. Intestinal infection, usually called gastroenteritis, is the process in which vomiting is the most frequent manifestation. They are normally associated with diarrhea (increased number of stools that are softer or more liquid in consistency) and intermittent abdominal pain (cramping). They may also present fever.

There are children who vomit in response to a psychological problem (going to school or daycare) or to a situation that they dislike.

Some even provoke it, given the effect it has on parents, but most simply somatize a larger fear, it is a physical way of showing their rejection of something.

If the vomiting persists, it is advisable to consult a professional to find out the cause.

Cause: After a blow to the head

Blows to the head are often accompanied by vomiting. In most cases they are due to the crying and tantrum that follows the blow and are not worrying.

We must remain alert and go to the specialist if we observe symptoms such as dizziness, drowsiness, loss of consciousness or alteration of the pupils.

Cause: Vomiting blood

This symptom indicates that there is bleeding from the digestive tract; it may be due to a problem in this area (gastric ulcer, esophagitis, etc.) or because the child has swallowed blood from the pharynx or nose (in this case, it is not worrying).

Whenever blood appears in the vomit we should immediately go to an emergency service, without alarming ourselves. The doctor will study the child to establish a diagnosis as soon as possible. This is most likely because the child has swallowed blood.