Emergency Room – Vomiting and Belly Pain Discharge

Transcript

“Once you have been discharged from the emergency room, the most important task is to encourage your child to keep fluids down. It may take some time for your child to return to eating and drinking normally. Offer small sips of liquids and consider an oral electrolyte solution such as Pedialyte. Breast milk is good for nursing infants and your doctor will give you the recommendations of the ounces of Pedialyte allowed for infants. This is based on their age and their weight. Never give infants water without your pediatrician’s directions. Once the vomiting is less frequent or has stopped altogether, try offering some bland foods such as crackers, toast and soup broth, but be aware that your child may start vomiting again. If it seems too soon to start eating again, just go back to offering small amounts of fluids at regular intervals. If your child has a fever along with the vomiting, you can give acetaminophen for comfort.

A suppository may be needed if they’re struggling to keep medications down. Allow your child to rest and recuperate while checking on them regularly. Kids sometimes need extra time to bounce back to normal after stomach illnesses. The goals of the ER team were to identify a serious cause of your child’s belly pain and provide relief for any pain, nausea, vomiting, or other symptoms. If the symptoms return or worsen, you should come back in. Specifically, be on the lookout for the following: no improvement in 24 hours, fever lasting more than 24 hours, decreased urination, increased vomiting, signs of dehydration, such as dry mouth, lack of tears when crying, lack of energy or cool, clammy, hands and feet. Be on the lookout for blood in the vomit or in the stool and seek additional care if your child has an inability to keep down fluids. Other symptoms include severe headache and mental confusion. Come back if either of these are present. It’s always a good idea to check in with your pediatrician or family doctor after a visit to the ER with your child. An emergency department will never replace an appointment with your primary care physician. Call the office and your pediatrician will then advise when to follow up with them next. If the vomiting and belly pain are persistent, make sure to return to the emergency department if you’re unable to make an appointment with your pediatrician.”