Eight month old projectile vomiting and floppy?

[AnotherNCname]

Just over an hour ago my eight month old DD projectile vomited a huge amount, I’ve never seen anything like it. We thought that was that but then she was sick twice more and went clammy and her limbs went floppy, looking sleepy.

We called 999 who advised us to come to A&E which is where we are waiting now. Upon booking in she was sick on me again with bile. She’s now fast asleep on DH while we wait.

Please can I have some reassurance that this is likely just to be a normal vomiting bug, also are there any questions I need to ask when we get seen such as could this be sepsis etc?

(For the troll hunters, I’ve been here since 2009; this isn’t going to be a live update thread I just want some help rationalising that she is more than likely very okay and it’s nothing to worry about. Thank you.)

Hand hold
Babies go south so quickly and can pick up again almost as quickly. Ive seen it a few times now but its still scary.

I had a not too dissimilar incident and we are all okay and home now.

Try to stay calm and remember you can ask for a second medical opinion.

With young children the system overreacts and puts you somewhere can get help fast if things deterioate, because they can deteriorate fast.

The majority get sent home with advice to keep hydrated, with a few getting drips for hydration.

You're there in case it is sepsis or something similarly nasty, not because anyone thinks it is.

My DS, now 5, did a similar thing as a 4m baby - puked all over me in such a spectacular way and was the floppy and had a sunken fontanelle…I followed nhs website and called 999 who sent an ambulance out. The paramedics arrived in PPE which was shocking as this was just as covid was taking hold - they were brilliant, he actually rallied pretty quickly and after some observation they told us to stay at home and treat as a tummy bug. He was better within days.

Sending love - this stuff is scary but you’re in the right place. Flag any concerns you have if she get worse, but I hope you’ll be seen soon and in good hands.

Also had a similar scary experience with DD when she was a 6 month old baby, it was 34 years ago but it has lived with me forever she, however, remembers nothing of it and is a fitting fit adult now. I hope your little one is equally OK.

It’s highly likely to be a normal vomiting bug, you’ve done the right thing as babies and young children get dehydrated quickly, and they might need to give your DD fluids.

When she was 5 months old, my DD had something similar. It was very frightening, but she was absolutely fine. Sending you lots of positive thoughts and hope your baby is on the mend soon xxx

Floppy is normal as being sick is exhausting for anyone, and especially for young children.
You've done the right thing taking her in, as she's high risk for dehydration with her age, but at most she might need an antisickness medication and IV fluids then will be fine.
Our youngest needed antisickness medication for a vomiting bug at around 1, and 1 bag of fluids then was fine again. She perked up very quickly and was only sick one more time when the medication wore off.

The poor thing. Fever and sickness can appear so extreme in symptoms in small babies.
I don’t have any advice, other than trust your motherly instincts, if baby gets discharged and something happens you’re not happy with, do not hesitate in going back. Hope she’s better soon x

The doctors are used to watching for sepsis, but if she was well until the vomiting I wouldn't be at all worried about that personally.

DD had similar symptoms (at a similar age) when she had tonsillitis. I was so frightened with how unwell she looked, but she bounced back once the antibiotics kicked in and was causing chaos at home within 36 hours. Hopefully it’s just a bug or something easily treatable for you - you’re in the right place.

DS had RSV and bronchiolitis when he was 6 weeks old, he'd been ill for a few days but was completely floppy like a rag doll when I went to pick him up. Even GP was terrified.

It is very scary but as others said they rally as quickly as they deteriorate. Should imagine you'll be fast tracked, hope things settle down sub

Thank you all for the reassurance, which is very welcome. Yes, it wasn’t the sick that was worrying, as such, it was the floppiness and clamminess etc. Initial obs were all okay (though we had two big bile vomits while waiting) so we are waiting to be seen by the doctor. I have fed her a little and she is half asleep currently.

Does your daughter have any other symptoms? Please ask them to check for meningitis. A person doesn't need all the symptoms. Floppy and sickness, are two of the symptoms - however, they are symptoms of other illnesses too.

My DD did something similar when she was three. She vomited an enormous amount over several, then became drowsy and then we couldn't even wake her. We were worried that she'd had a head injury without us realising, and called an ambulance. They took her to hospital, assuring me that she'd soon perk up with a bit of oxygen...she didn't. I was terrified.

At the hospital, they ruled out a head injury but she was still virtually unresponsive so they admitted her to the children's ward and started an IV infusion. I slept (barely) on the bed with her. I'll never forget my relief when, early the next morning, she stirred and announced that she needed the toilet.

She's doing her A-levels now!

We are on our way home now, diagnosis some kind of viral infection or tummy bug. Thank you everyone for being there! 🩷

So glad to hear that, I hope you all managed to get some sleep.