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 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.