Connect with

Monday 6 July 2026

Peer Reviewed

Feature Article Paediatrics

Investigation of infants and children with vomiting

Alan Chong

Recent articles on:
Nausea and vomiting

The vomiting child. Considerations and red flag symptoms

Chronic nausea: investigation and management

Investigation of nausea. How far to go before referral

Nausea: think outside the gut

Investigating adults with recurrent nausea and vomiting

Recent articles on:
Children's health

The snotty-nosed kid – a practical approach to recurrent or chronic rhinorrhoea in children

Not just another fever – recognising recurrent fever syndromes in children

Paediatric respiratory health – the importance of taking an environmental history

Noisy breathing in children. When to be concerned

Understanding developmental co-ordination disorder

Abstract

Vomiting and regurgitation are very common presenting symptoms to the doctor and can cause great concern to both parents and doctors.

Key Points

Although some 50% of infants have regurgitation or vomiting as an isolated complaint, less than 5% have significant underlying disease.
Investigations should be tailored to confirm the suspected diagnosis, exclude complications of vomiting and make an assessment to assist management.
Healthy thriving infants with regurgitation or mild uncomplicated gastro-oesophageal reflux do not require any investigation.
Warning signs requiring investigation or referral include: bilious vomiting; persistent, severe or recurrent vomiting; and vomiting associated with abdominal pain, lethargy, failure to thrive or neurological signs.