Patient's question:
Detailed medical condition and purpose of consultation: Refusal to eat, eating very little.......Duration and persistence of the current illness: For a while
Current general condition: Frequently crying, sweating at night while sleeping
Doctor's answer:
Hello:Nausea is the most common symptom of the digestive system. Nausea includes vomiting and spitting up. If a small amount of milk flows back into the mouth, it is considered spitting up, not vomiting, and does not affect development. It usually disappears around 6 months of age as the child grows older.
Newborns have small stomachs that are horizontal, and their esophagus is relatively relaxed. The cardiac sphincter, which connects to the esophagus, is underdeveloped. Additionally, their intestinal motility, gastric acid and protease secretion functions are also poor, making them particularly prone to vomiting, especially premature infants.
The most common cause of vomiting is improper feeding, accounting for about 1/4 of all newborn vomiting cases. This is mainly due to overfeeding, incorrect concentration, unsuitable milk temperature, small nipple holes, lying flat immediately after feeding, excessive or early movement of the child, and intense crying, all of which can cause vomiting.
Mild vomiting and spitting up have little impact on the body. However, repeated vomiting can lead to disturbances in water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance, manifesting as dehydration, seizures, or coma. Severe vomiting can cause vomit to be inhaled into the trachea, leading to aspiration pneumonia, obstructing the airways of weak or premature infants, and potentially causing suffocation and death.
If a child vomits, parents should first check the feeding method and correct any improper practices promptly. When feeding or giving water, the child should be held upright, placed on the parent's shoulder, and gently patted on the back to burp and expel air from the stomach before putting them down. For at least 30 minutes after feeding, avoid excessive movement of the newborn. Gentle handling during diaper changes and keeping the child in a right-side-lying position or elevating the head of the bed can help food move from the stomach into the intestines and reduce the risk of vomit being inhaled into the trachea. While adjusting feeding methods, it is also important to observe the child's condition.