Question
My son is currently eight months old. He has been experiencing frequent vomiting since he was about one to two months old, usually occurring during feeding or drinking. What could be the cause, and what should parents do? Thank you.
Answer
Infant vomiting can be caused by a variety of factors, including but not limited to overfeeding, swallowing too quickly and ingesting air, intestinal dysfunction due to enteritis, a relaxed esophageal opening leading to regurgitation, infectious diseases such as encephalitis, pneumonia, and neurological disorders like hydrocephalus, brain edema, and intracranial hemorrhage. Other possible causes include esophageal atresia, gastric outlet stenosis, pyloric spasm, motion sickness, and sea sickness. Mild vomiting may be a normal physiological phenomenon that will gradually stop as the baby grows. However, severe vomiting can be a sign of a serious illness and requires timely treatment. Therefore, when a child experiences vomiting, it should not be taken lightly. Parents should seek medical attention promptly to receive a diagnosis and timely appropriate treatment.