Differential Diagnosis for 18 Month Old Vomiting
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Viral Gastroenteritis: This is the most common cause of vomiting in infants and toddlers, often accompanied by diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. The high frequency of viral infections in this age group due to exposure and immature immune systems makes this diagnosis highly probable.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Food Allergy or Intolerance: Common in infants, reactions to certain foods can cause vomiting. Lactose intolerance, cow's milk protein allergy, and other food allergies are potential causes.
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): Although more commonly associated with spitting up in younger infants, GERD can persist and cause vomiting in older infants.
- Infections (e.g., Urinary Tract Infections, Otitis Media): Infections elsewhere in the body can cause vomiting in infants, often accompanied by other symptoms like fever and irritability.
- Food Poisoning: Consuming contaminated food can lead to vomiting, and infants are particularly vulnerable due to their developing immune systems.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into an adjacent part, potentially cutting off blood flow. It's a medical emergency that can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and bloody stools.
- Appendicitis: Although rare in infants, appendicitis can occur and is a surgical emergency. Vomiting may accompany abdominal pain and fever.
- Pyloric Stenosis: A condition where the pylorus (the passage between the stomach and small intestine) thickens, blocking food from entering the intestine. It typically presents with projectile vomiting in infants around 2-8 weeks old but can occasionally be seen in older infants.
- Ingestion of Toxins: Accidental ingestion of medications, household cleaners, or other toxic substances can cause vomiting and is a medical emergency.
Rare Diagnoses
- Metabolic Disorders: Certain metabolic disorders can cause vomiting, among other symptoms, due to the body's inability to properly process nutrients.
- Congenital Anomalies of the Gastrointestinal Tract: Conditions like duodenal atresia or stenosis can cause vomiting, especially if not diagnosed and treated early in life.
- Neurological Conditions: Conditions affecting the brain, such as increased intracranial pressure or migraines, can cause vomiting in infants, though this is less common and often accompanied by other neurological signs.