Pyloric Stenosis – Symptoms and Causes
Overview
Pyloric stenosis is a condition where the opening between the stomach and small intestine narrows. This happens when the pyloric muscle becomes abnormally enlarged. The narrowed passage makes it difficult for food to move from the stomach into the intestines.
This condition primarily affects infants. When a baby has pyloric stenosis, they typically experience forceful vomiting after feeding. Despite this vomiting, the infant often remains hungry, wanting to eat again immediately.
Other common symptoms include:
- Dehydration
- Poor nutrition
- Weight loss
- Constant hunger
The medical term for this muscle enlargement is hypertrophy, which is why the condition is sometimes called hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.
Without treatment, pyloric stenosis can lead to serious complications. The standard treatment is a surgical procedure to widen the passage between the stomach and small intestine. This surgery is highly effective and allows babies to resume normal feeding and development.
Signs and Symptoms
Pyloric stenosis typically shows up in babies between 3 to 6 weeks old. It rarely affects infants older than 3 months.
Common symptoms include:
- Forceful Vomiting After Meals: Babies may shoot milk or formula several feet away (projectile vomiting), usually right after eating. This often starts mild but gets worse over time.
Frequent Hunger: Infants typically want to eat again soon after vomiting.
Visible Stomach Waves: You might notice rippling movements across your baby’s belly after feeding but before vomiting occurs.
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Signs of dehydration including:
- Fewer wet diapers
- Low energy levels
- Dry mouth and lips
- Crying without tears
- Bowel Changes: Constipation may occur because food cannot properly move through the digestive system.
Poor Weight Gain or Loss: Lack of nutrition affects growth and weight.
When Medical Care Is Needed
Several conditions can mimic pyloric stenosis symptoms, making proper diagnosis important. Contact your baby’s healthcare provider if your infant:
- Vomits forcefully after eating
- Seems hungry immediately after vomiting
- Appears unusually irritable or less active
- Produces fewer wet or dirty diapers
- Fails to gain weight or starts losing weight
Early treatment helps prevent serious complications like severe dehydration and nutritional problems.
Causes
The exact reasons for pyloric stenosis remain unclear. Scientists believe both genetic factors and environmental influences may contribute to its development. This condition typically doesn’t exist at birth but emerges in the weeks following delivery.
Risk Factors
Certain babies have a higher chance of developing pyloric stenosis:
- Male infants
- First-born children
- Premature babies
- Infants with family members who had pyloric stenosis
- Babies whose mothers smoked during pregnancy
- Infants exposed to specific antibiotics during late pregnancy or after birth
- Bottle-fed babies
These factors may increase risk, but many babies with these factors never develop the condition.
Complications
Pyloric stenosis can cause several health problems if not treated quickly. These issues can affect a baby’s growth and overall well-being.
Poor Growth and Development
When a baby cannot keep food down due to frequent vomiting, they don’t get the nutrients needed for proper growth. This lack of nutrition can lead to:
- Weight loss
- Slow physical development
- Weakness
Dehydration
Constant vomiting causes babies to lose important fluids. This dehydration can become serious quickly. Signs include:
- Dry mouth and tongue
- Fewer wet diapers
- Sunken eyes
- Crying without tears
Dehydration also disrupts the balance of electrolytes in the body. These minerals help control many body functions, including heart rhythm and muscle movement.
Mineral Imbalances
The loss of stomach contents can cause dangerous shifts in body chemistry:
- Potassium levels may drop
- Sodium and chloride can become unbalanced
- Acid-base balance may be disturbed
These changes can affect how well organs work and may require medical treatment to correct.
Jaundice
In some cases, pyloric stenosis can lead to jaundiceโa yellowing of the skin and eyes. This happens when bilirubin (a substance made when red blood cells break down) builds up in the body.
While rare with pyloric stenosis, it’s a sign that needs medical attention.
