Infant Pyloric Stenosis

What can be done BEFORE surgery to provide relief to my infant grandson who may have PS?  I have not found anything that answers my question.  Does he have to keep being miserable until surgery, or is there some routine we can follow to alleviate his symptoms and give him some relief?  He doesn't sleep well, vomits often, and is so miserable.


This discussion is related to Pediatric pyloric stenosis with milk protein/food allergies with inflamed nasal.

[kellym]

How long does he have to wait?

[jenstam]

Hmm...my cousins son had this over the summer and they got him in for surgery. I don't think there's anything you can do for comfort, which is why surgery is necessary. I have the same question...how long does he have to wait? Also, this is probably a question for your grandson's doctor.

[kellym]

I've got to imagine that the surgery is scheduled pretty soon beings that they are virtually projectile vomiting all their nutrients?

[JLBRN]

My son had this when he was an infant many years ago.  If this is truly the diagnosis the surgery is done immediately.  They can not keep much down and will become dehydrated and malnurished quickly.

[LisaLo6]

My grandson is having an ultrasound tomorrow, then we wait for news.  He is only five weeks old and it is so hard to see him so miserable.  I am thankful for evryone's comments and am hopeful surgery is soon.  I have no reservations that this is what he has...all the symptoms are there.  Thank you.

[kellym]

Gosh, I hope he gets some relief very soon!

[guinness413]

My son had the same thing and you should have him have surgery ASAP; eventually he will lose weight and get malnourished

There is no cure but surgery

[guinness413]

It is a simple surgery and very quick recovery. My son is now 5 and has thrived very well. He ws 6 weeks old when he had it and was gaining weight and stopped projectile vomiting soon thereafter

[LisaLo6]

My grandson had an ultrasound today and they said it will take 3-5 days to get the results...so in the meantime we watch him suffer and wait for the lab to get the results to his pediatrician, then wait some more until his surgery.  How long (days/weeks) did it take from your son's diagnosis to his surgery?  How was his recuperation?  Just asking in anticipation of what to expect.  Thanks.

[JLBRN]

My son is 38 years old now so its been al long time ago, but he had an upper GI which was red immediately and surgery was done later the same day.  What you are experiencing does not sound right.  This is an emergency situation.  What does his pediatrican say?

[JLBRN]

I was thinking about this after I just posted.  If it was pyloric stenosis, the ultrasound tech would see the enlarged pyloric muscle and notilfy the Dr.without waiting a few days.  There are other causes of vomiting such as a weak valve between  the esophagus and stomach, not between the stomach and small intestine as with pyloric stenosis.  By the way, I am a retired RN.

[LisaLo6]

If it is a weak valve, his symptoms are still bad, so is it not considered as much of a priority as PS?  Is this something minor that we don't have to worry about as much?  He eats (breastfed), is gaining weight, but spits up forcefully all day long and it smells like sour milk--also has curds that come up.  The lab is not located at the pedi's office, but you are right that the tech should notify the dr. if it does look like PS.  Keeping fingers crossed we get answers real soon.  Thanks for your info.

[peekawho]

If it is a true PS, you will not and should not have to wait 3-5 days for results.  

There's a big difference between projectile vomiting of all feeds, and forceful spitting up.  If he's gaining weight and not dehydrated, it sounds hopeful that the news will be good.  

Let us know what you find out!

[guinness413]

I agree with JLBRN; we went for the ultrasound on a Fri afternoon, they read it right away and soon thereafter my pediatrician told us to go right to CHOP, which we did and despite some horrible mess ups, he had surgery Sat am. We went home on that Mon following and he still threw up for a little bit but not nearly that bad

The surgery was approximately 45 min start to finish and they said that it is the 2nd most common surgery for young infant (predominantly) boys next to a hernia

When he was recovering, we had to feed him every 2 hours and monitor his eating and what happend

If you are waiting several days, that could be dangerous. Who thinks it is pyloric stenosis?

[guinness413]

My other son, who will be one next month had the same symptoms but was diagnosed with no PS but bad acid reflux. He threw up all of the time and we were later told he has a weakened muscle there in his stomach as he has low muscle tone as well. He was put on a hypoallergenic formula and Prevacid as he is never had trouble gaining weight but was always uncomfortable and miserable but has since, knock on wood, seems to be outgrowing it

[LisaLo6]

His pediatrician thought that's what it could be..said it is not normal to throw up so much.  My daughter called him and asked if he could call the lab to speed up the results, but was told by his office that there was nothing they could do.  If it does turn out to be PS, I will be so mad.  If it isn't, we just want answers so he can be treated. I've heard other people say their children took Prevacid or other meds and it helped, so at least there is something out there that can be done.  It's just so awful that these newborns are having such a painful experience; I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.  Until we hear something, we are keeping the faith.

[guinness413]

When will you hear back?

[LisaLo6]

The lab said 3 to 5 days for the results to be sent to his doctor.  He had the test on the 29th, so we should hear something by Wednesday.

[guinness413]

where do they live?

[LisaLo6]

Today my daughter received the ultrasound results for my grandson.  Dr. said everything looked good, no blockage or signs of anything wrong.  His advice: hold baby upright longer after feeding (which we have been doing all along) and to add rice cereal to his formula.  He is being breastfed, so I guess she'll have to supplement with bottles in-between.  She said the Dr. mentioned he might have reflux, but didn't offer anything for it.  Guess he wants to see how things go first.  I am so relieved.  He still spits up alot, but it seems to be getting less forceful and he is gaining weight. My bad---when I typed in symptoms on the net and begin researching possibilities, I jumped to the most fitting conclusion and I was wrong.  Thank you all for your support and feedback.  Will keep you posted as things progress.