pyloric stenosis
Information, Symptoms, Treatments and Resources
Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing of the pylorus, the opening from the stomach into the small intestine.
Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis; Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis; Gastric outlet obstruction
Pyloric stenosis is caused by a thickening of the muscles of the pylorus. This thickening prevents the stomach from emptying into the small intestine.
The cause of the thickening is unknown, although genetic factors may play a role. Pyloric stenosis occurs more commonly in boys than in girls, and is rare in patients older than 6 months. The condition is usually diagnosed by the time a child is 6 months old.
Symptoms generally appear several weeks after birth:
- Abdominal fullness prematurely after meals
- Abdominal pain
- Belching
- Constant hunger
- Dehydration (gets worse with the severity of the vomiting and diarrhea)
- Diarrhea (loose, watery stools)
- Failure to gain weight or weight loss
- Wave-like motion of the abdomen shortly after feeding and just before vomiting occurs
- Vomiting
- Persistant vomiting after every feeding
- Projectile vomiting
The condition is usually diagnosed before the baby is 6 months old.
A physical exam may reveal signs of dehydration. The infant may have a swollen belly area. The doctor may detect the abnormal pylorus, which feels like an olive-shaped mass, when touching the stomach area.
An ultrasound of the abdomen may be the first imaging test performed. Other tests that may be done include:
- Blood chemistry panel -- often reveals an electrolyte imbalance
- Barium x-ray -- reveals a swollen stomach and narrowed pylorus
Treatment for pyloric stenosis involves surgery (called a pyloromyotomy) to split the overdeveloped muscles.
Balloon dilation does not work as well as surgery, but may be considered for infants when the risk of general anesthesia is high.
The patient will be given fluids through a vein, usually before surgery.
Surgery usually provides complete relief of symptoms. The infant can usually tolerate small, frequent feedings several hours after surgery.
- Vomiting after surgery -- this is very common and generally improves with time
- Failure to gain weight in the newborn period
- Risks associated with any surgery, which include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
Call your health care provider if your baby has symptoms of this condition.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. � 1997- 2008 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
