Differential Diagnosis for Green Vomiting

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Gastroenteritis: This is the most common cause of green vomiting, often due to a viral or bacterial infection that leads to inflammation of the stomach and intestines, resulting in the vomiting of bile, which gives the vomit its green color.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Food poisoning: Consuming contaminated food can lead to green vomiting, as the body tries to expel the toxins.
  • Intestinal obstruction: A blockage in the intestines can cause vomiting, which may be green if it contains bile.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis can cause green vomiting due to the inflammation and irritation of the digestive tract.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
  • Appendicitis: Although less common, appendicitis can cause vomiting, and if the appendix ruptures, it can lead to severe complications.
  • Intussusception: A condition where a part of the intestine slides into another, causing a blockage, which can lead to severe vomiting and potentially life-threatening complications if not treated promptly.
  • Volvulus: A twisting of the intestine that can cut off blood flow, leading to tissue death and potentially life-threatening complications.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Giardiasis: An intestinal infection caused by the Giardia parasite, which can lead to green vomiting among other symptoms.
  • Cystic fibrosis: A genetic disorder that can cause digestive problems, including green vomiting, due to the buildup of thick mucus in the digestive tract.
  • Biliary atresia: A rare condition in infants where the bile ducts are blocked or don't develop normally, leading to green vomiting due to the accumulation of bile.