What is Pyloric Stenosis? What are its Causes and Symptoms?

Pyloric stenosis is a rare condition in infants, where the food doesn’t pass from the stomach to the small intestine, because the valve in between becomes narrow and thick. Below is a list of signs, causes and symptoms.

The symptoms:

Usually, the signs of pyloric stenosis are visible early in newborns, usually when the baby is about three to five weeks old. The infant may throw up after every meal, and the vomit may smell soul, mainly because the food has stomach acid mixed in it. Infants with this condition may still have appetite but will eventually throw up after feeding. There are other signs and symptoms, as well, such as dehydration, weight loss, reduced stool, and lump in the stomach. You may also hear ripples in the stomach of the infant, which is an indication that the stomach is trying to push the contents into the small intestine.

Causes and more:

The exact cause of pyloric stenosis is not clearly known, but some infants might be prone to the risk factors. It is believed that pyloric stenosis develops later and is not present at birth. Risk factors include gender, as boys are more likely to suffer from it than girls, especially if the child is firstborn. Race may also have an impact, as pyloric stenosis is hardly seen in Asians. Other risk factors include premature birth, family history, and smoking during pregnancy and use of certain antibiotics right after birth.

If you see the above-mentioned signs and symptoms, contact your baby’s paediatrician right away, because pyloric stenosis can be treated right away. The paediatrician may suggest a few tests that can be done at Polo Labs, but the ideal treatment is usually surgery. Please note that vomiting may continue even after a few days of the surgery. Talk to your paediatrician to know more on the possible signs, before and after treatment.