A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W

PYLORIC STENOSIS

What is Pyloric Stenosis ?

When food is swallowed, it passes through a tube called the oesophagus (gullet) into the stomach. Here the food is mixed with acid and digestion starts. It then continues along the rest of the intestines for further digestion. The exit to the stomach is called the pylorus. The pylorus opens and closes to allow the food to pass through. Pyloric stenosis means narrowing of the pylorus. Pyloric stenosis is often not obvious at birth. Babies with pyloric stenosis start to vomit any time from birth to 2 months of age. The vomiting can be surprisingly forceful for a small baby. The vomiting often gets gradually worse, with the baby remaining hungry and not gaining weight.

How does Pyloric Stenosis occur ?

The muscle around the exit to the stomach is too thick and causes the narrowing. Milk cannot pass from the stomach into the intestines and the baby vomits.

Why does Pyloric Stenosis occur ?

The cause is not known. Boys are more likely to be affected than girls.

Treatment Involved for Pyloric Stenosis

Pyloric stenosis may be suspected because the story of vomiting is so typical. The diagnosis can sometimes be made by examining the baby and seeing him vomit. When the baby is feeding the pylorus might be felt in the stomach as a small lump. The doctor may ask for an ultrasound scan of the stomach or an Xray. Vomiting means that the baby has lost fluid and also the acids and salts that are made in the stomach. Blood tests will be taken and the baby may need a drip into a vein to make up the loss of fluids and salts. The treatment for pyloric stenosis is an operation, where the surgeon makes a small cut in the muscle in the pylorus to release the thickening. The baby will need a general anaesthetic for this. The cut made by the surgeon is usually very small. Babies sometimes need some painkillers immediately after the operation. After the operation the baby will be allowed to gradually get back to normal feeding.

During Treatment for Pyloric Stenosis

Every anaesthetic carries a risk but this is very small.

After Treatment for Pyloric Stenosis

Once home, the baby should be well. Should a fever or vomiting occur, inform the doctor. It is very rare for the operation not to work. There are no long-term complications and the baby is not at risk of gut problems later on.

If Pyloric Stenosis is Left Untreated

The baby would start to become dehydrated (short of water) and would lose vital salts from the body and fail to gain weight.

Effects on Family of Pyloric Stenosis

It is a shock to find that your newborn baby has a problem. This is a relatively minor operation and there are no long term effects from pyloric stenosis. Babies recover from operations much more quickly than adults or older children.