VOMITING AS A SYMPTOM OF SERIOUS DISEASE IN INFANTS AND CHILDREN

Vomiting or its lesser stages—anorexia, nausea—is a prime symptom of the most serious surgically curable diseases of childhood. In the newborn, when vomitus is green, abdomen scaphoid, and erect roentgen view shows air-fluid levels in stomach and duodenum with gas beyond, partial duodenal obstructio...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:California medicine 1960-02, Vol.92 (2), p.133-134
Main Author: GREANEY, Jr, E M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abdominal Pain
Appendicitis
Child
Constipation
Diarrhea
Digestive System Abnormalities
Duodenum
Enema
Feces
Gastroenteritis
Humans
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Intestinal Volvulus
Intussusception
Nausea
Old Medline
Pain
Physical Examination
Vomiting
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Vomiting or its lesser stages—anorexia, nausea—is a prime symptom of the most serious surgically curable diseases of childhood. In the newborn, when vomitus is green, abdomen scaphoid, and erect roentgen view shows air-fluid levels in stomach and duodenum with gas beyond, partial duodenal obstruction is present and midgut volvulus with malrotation is likely enough to justify immediate exploration. In infancy, vomiting is a clear sign of intussusception when associated with intermittent colicky pain, palpable mass and “currant-jelly” feces. These symptoms are not always present, and if there is blood in the feces, barium enema study must follow. In further doubt, exploration may be justified. In childhood, a common early symptom of appendicitis is vomiting accompanied by pain without any complete remission. Constipation is frequent but diarrhea may occur and contribute to an impression of gastroenteritis. Complete and repeated physical examination, with a history of the above symptoms, should lead to correct diagnosis.
ISSN:0008-1264
2380-9949