Quick answer
When should a child with vomiting or diarrhoea see a doctor?
See a pediatrician if vomiting or diarrhoea lasts more than a day or two, if your child cannot keep fluids down, or if there is blood in the stool, high fever or severe tummy pain. Signs of dehydration, such as very little urine, a dry mouth, no tears or unusual sleepiness, need urgent medical attention.
How the digestive system affects a child's health
The digestive system breaks down food and absorbs the nutrients a child needs for energy, growth and development. When it is disrupted, children may have nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or abdominal pain.
Most digestive upsets in children are short-lived. Symptoms that persist, keep returning or affect growth deserve a proper evaluation.
When do parents seek help for digestive concerns?
- Vomiting or diarrhoea that is not settling
- Hard, painful or infrequent stools
- Tummy pain that keeps coming back
- Frequent spitting up with discomfort or poor weight gain in a baby
- Bloating, loose stools or rash after particular foods
- Blood or mucus in the stool
- Poor appetite with poor weight gain
Conditions and concerns evaluated
- Acute gastroenteritis
- Assessment of hydration and guidance on oral rehydration and feeding.
- Constipation
- Diet, toilet routine and, where needed, medicines to restore comfortable habits.
- Reflux
- Distinguishing normal infant spitting up from gastroesophageal reflux disease.
- Recurrent abdominal pain
- Looking for patterns, triggers and features that need investigation.
- Food allergy and intolerance
- History-led evaluation of reactions to foods.
- Chronic bowel symptoms
- Initial assessment and referral when conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease are suspected.
How GROW approaches digestive concerns
Hydration and growth are checked first, because they show how much a digestive problem is affecting the child. Diet, stool pattern and daily routine are then reviewed in detail.
Many digestive concerns improve with clear guidance and simple measures. Where tests or a pediatric gastroenterology opinion would help, the pediatrician explains why and arranges referral.
What to expect at the consultation
History
Symptoms, stool pattern, diet, fluids and any link with particular foods.
Growth check
Weight and height compared with earlier records.
Examination
Hydration, tummy examination and general check.
Tests if needed
Stool, urine, blood tests or an ultrasound when indicated.
Plan
Fluids, diet, medicines if required and what to watch for at home.
Age groups
Infants, toddlers, school-age children and adolescents.
What to bring
- A note of how many vomits or stools in the last 24 hours
- A food and symptom diary for recurring problems
- Previous test reports
- Growth records
When to seek urgent medical care
Do not wait for a routine appointment if your child has any of the following:
- Signs of dehydration: very little urine, dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes or unusual sleepiness
- Green or blood-stained vomit
- Blood in the stool
- Severe or constant tummy pain, or a swollen, hard tummy
- Swelling of the lips or face, hives or breathing difficulty after eating
Go to the nearest emergency department or call your local emergency number.
Digestive Concerns: frequently asked questions
How can I tell if my child is dehydrated?
Look for fewer wet nappies or less urine than usual, a dry mouth, no tears when crying, sunken eyes and unusual sleepiness or irritability. These signs need prompt medical attention.
Is constipation common in children?
Yes. It is common and usually related to diet, fluids and toilet habits. Early treatment prevents it from becoming a long-term problem.
Is spitting up normal in babies?
Small spit-ups after feeds are common in healthy babies and usually improve with age. See a pediatrician if your baby is not gaining weight, seems in pain with feeds, vomits forcefully or brings up green or blood-stained fluid.
What is the difference between food allergy and food intolerance?
A food allergy involves the immune system and can cause hives, swelling or breathing difficulty, sometimes quickly. Intolerance does not involve the immune system and usually causes digestive symptoms such as bloating or loose stools.
Further reading
General guidance on this page is consistent with information published by:
