Question
If a child experiences abdominal pain accompanied by continuous vomiting for 2-3 days, what could be the cause? Do they need to go to the hospital for an ultrasound examination? What are the treatment options?
Answer
Children with abdominal pain combined with vomiting that lasts for several days may have mesenteric lymphadenitis caused by conditions like the common cold. Treatment primarily involves anti-inflammatory measures, with intravenous therapy being more effective and quicker than oral medications. If parents prefer not to undergo intravenous therapy, oral medications can be chosen, although they may be less effective and slower in recovery. This child has had intermittent abdominal pain and vomiting for 3 years, with no abnormalities found during a gastroscopy. Currently, it is not advisable to consider mesenteric lymphadenitis alone; an EEG should be conducted to rule out the possibility of habitual vomiting and abdominal epilepsy.