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Primary Care Liaison

Vomiting with or without abdominal pain

  • Initial work-up

    • History and physical exam - rule out neurological cause
    • Urinalysis
    • FBE with diff, ESR or CRP
    • LFTs
    • Amylase or lipase
    • U&Es

    If obstruction is a concern -

    • Abdominal or renal ultrasound

    Recommended pre-referral treatment

    • H2 receptor drug (eg.Ranitidine - Zantac 3mg/kg dose BD orally. Syrup available).
    • Maximum 150mg

    When to refer

    • Depending on results of initial evaluation, refer for further evaluation.

    Resources

    References and more reading

    • Paediatric Handbook (2009). Gastrointestinal Conditions, Chapter 24 (pp369-389) Mark Oliver and Lionel Lubitz. Eighth Edition, Blackwell Publishing. By the staff of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

    Guideline developed by the RCH Department of Gastroenterology in consultation with a GP Review Group. Many thanks to the GPs involved in the review.  First published Jan  2008. Reviewed August 2009. 
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