Pyloric Stenosis

A guide for parents with infants less than 7 months old.

What is Pyloric Stenosis?

Risk Factors

Signs of Pyloric Stenosis

• The pylorus is the last part of the stomach + the first part of the intestines. Between the stomach and the intestines is the pyloric sphincter, ring of muscle that acts as a valve to let food pass through from the stomach to the intestines.

• Pyloric stenosis occurs when the pyloric sphincter muscle becomes enlarged. Food has a hard time passing through to the intestines because the valve cannot open properly.

• Usually, pyloric stenosis affects infants that are born

with an enlarged pyloric sphincter.

• Male sex (5x greater risk) • Most often affects infants

between 1-7 weeks of age

• Having a family member affected by PS

• Caucasian ancestry • Full-term birth • Maternal cigarette

smoking

Seemingly healthy infants may begin to forcefully vomit, usually after feeding. Even though they continue to feed afterwards, most food will not reach their small intestine and they will become constipated and very hungry. Babies may become fussy due to hunger and pain due to irritation of the esophagus from vomiting. They may lose weight and their vomit may be tinged with blood due to the rupture of vessels in the stomach and/or esophagus.

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2

What to do when you suspect pyloric stenosis… stestenosis…

1

Your health care provider will examine your infant and ask about his/her symptoms. They may also do the following:

• Take blood for testing to measure the amount electrolytes in your child’s system

• Abdominal ultrasound or x-ray to view the stomach and confirm diagnosis

Early recognition is key- bring your child to your primary healthcare provider, or alternatively, to the emergency room.

2

If pyloric stenosis is confirmed, your child will need surgery. The procedure is called a pyloromyotomy and it involves:

• A surgery lasting about 1 hour under general anaesthesia

• The thickened muscle of the pyloris will be cut so the muscle relaxes and allows for normal digestion

Any further questions?

Contact your health care provider or a health care professional who can assess your child.

Additional information and references used for this guide can also be found at:

http://pyloricstenosisinfo.weebly.com/