Infant Ailment: Forceful Vomiting Due to Pyloric Stenosis

Pyloric stenosis, also known as infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis or congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, is a condition that affects approximately one baby in every 500. This condition, characterised by forceful vomiting in infants, typically occurs a few weeks after birth and is rare in infants older than 24 weeks.

The symptoms of pyloric stenosis include projectile vomiting, minor pooping, weight loss, visible peristalsis, hunger after vomiting, fussiness, and sluggishness. A diagnosis is typically made through a physical examination and imaging tests such as ultrasound or Barium x-ray.

The only treatment for pyloric stenosis is a surgical procedure called pyloromyotomy, which helps expand the connecting tract between the stomach and intestine. This surgery can be conducted via laparoscopy or open surgery, with the specific method being discussed by the surgeons.

During the surgery, general anesthesia is administered to the baby. The surgery involves making an incision in the body to see the pylorus muscle and then making another cut on the muscle to spread it. The entire surgery lasts between 15 minutes to an hour.

Before the surgery, the baby may be given intravenous fluids, and blood tests may be conducted. After the surgery, medication to dull the pain and intravenous fluids are administered. Babies who have undergone the surgery may vomit for a couple of days as their body adjusts.

Once the baby seems ready to take food orally, a watered-down formula initiates the feeding. The formula is gradually made stronger to the normal amount, based on the progress of the baby's response.

It's worth noting that treatment options for severe vomiting in infants, not limited to pyloric stenosis, include careful hydration and electrolyte balance, use of antiemetic medications like Vomacur® suppositories (dimenhydrinate) for children over 8 kg, and addressing underlying causes such as infections or gastrointestinal issues. However, any medication must only be given under medical supervision due to potential risks.

Research suggests that babies who are given antibiotics in the first couple of weeks after birth or whose mothers were given antibiotics during later months of pregnancy and early months of breastfeeding may have a higher likelihood of developing pyloric stenosis. The cause of pyloric stenosis in infants is not fully understood, but it may have a hereditary component.

After the surgery, the baby will be in the recovery room until it wakes up from the anesthesia. It's important to remember that every baby's recovery may be unique, and it's crucial to follow the advice of healthcare professionals during this time.