Patient's question:
My baby is 16 months old. Today, he suddenly vomited after eating anything, with mild nausea and vomiting in the morning. I took him to the hospital, where a small blood test and ultrasound confirmed acute gastroenteritis caused by a cold. He received one bottle of potassium and sodium glucose solution. I want to know what to do if he vomits even more after the infusion?Doctor's answer:
Generally, treating acute gastroenteritis takes about three to seven days. In addition to medication, children who vomit continuously may become dehydrated, so they must drink enough fluids during the fasting period. It is important to note that vomiting and diarrhea not only deplete fluids but also deplete electrolytes. Therefore, it is best to take the "oral rehydration salts" recommended by pharmacies rather than just plain water. While sports drinks also contain salt, their high sugar content may cause persistent nausea and vomiting in children with acute gastroenteritis. During the recovery period, children with acute gastroenteritis often have poor appetite and can eat light, easily digestible foods. Young children can eat porridge, noodles, soda crackers, apples, bananas, etc. In cases of severe vomiting or significant dehydration, it is advisable to go to the hospital for intravenous infusion of glucose saline.