Psychogenic Vomiting: A Clinical Diagnosis Merits Special Attention in Pediatrics

A 2 years and 9 months old boy attended to a gastroenterology clinic of pediatric hospital for investigation of recurrent and intractable vomiting. He had post prandial, non-projectile, non-bilious emesis since past 2 years. Since the onset of illness, he was carried to many doctors and underwent extensive laboratory investigations. Because all of the science lab and imaging work up for etiology of emesis was normal and there wasnt any clinical response to medical treatment, psychological consultation with suspicion of psychogenic vomiting was done. After psychological consultation and treatment, including teaching the feeding techniques for mother, there was a dramatic recovery and the vomiting stopped. A diagnosis of psychogenic vomiting was made. He was discharged with the advice to attend regular supportive psychotherapy sessions.