Pediatric Vomiting - Gastrointestinal and Systemic Causes - Differential Diagnosis Algorithm

Hepatobiliary:

 • Acute Hepatitis

 • Acute Pancreatitis

Upper Gastrointestinal - Acute:

 • Infectious Gastroenteritis

 • Gastric/Duodenal

Obstruction

 • Pyloric Stenosis

 • Intussusception

 • Gastric Volvulus

 • Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Upper Gastrointestinal - Chronic:

 • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

 • Peptic Ulcer Disease

 • Gastroparesis

 • Gastritis

Lower Gastrointestinal - Acute:

 • Infectious Gastroenteritis

 • Small/Large Bowel Obstruction

 • Intussusception

 • Acute Appendicitis

 • Incarcerated Hernia

Lower Gastrointestinal - Chronic:

 • Intestinal Atresia

 • Midgut malrotation

Endocrine/Metabolic:

 • Pregnancy

 • Diabetes/ DKA

 • Uremia

 • Hypercalcemia

 • Addison's Disease

 • Thyroid Disease

Systemic - Other:

 • Sepsis (e.g. Pyelonephritis, Pneumonia)

 • Radiation Sickness

 • Poisoning

 • Food Allergy

 • Urinary Tract Infection

Drugs/Toxins:

 • Chemotherapy

 • Antibiotics

 • Carbon Monoxide 

High Intracranial Pressure (CNS):

 • Hemorrhage

 • Meningitis

 • Head Trauma

 • Brain Tumour

 • Hydrocephalus

Vestibular (Inner Ear):

 • Ear Infection (Otitis Media)

 • Motion Sickness

 • Vestibular Migraine

 • Méniére's Disease

 • Labrynthitis

Psychiatric:

 • Self-Induced (Bulimia)

 • Cyclic Vomiting

 • Psychogenic



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