What Is Pyloric Stenosis And How Will I Know If My Baby Has It?


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Pyloric stenosis is a condition that can cause difficulty with the way that your baby is able to take in and process food. In pyloric stenosis, the lower part of the baby’s stomach, known as the pylorus, becomes narrowed. This prevents food from moving from the stomach to the small intestine. Pyloric stenosis is though to affect around three out of every one thousand babies in the United States. Pyloric stenosis is most common in boy babies that are the first born. Pyloric stenosis is also carried genetically, and if a parent had pyloric stenosis as a baby, then their child is more likely to have pyloric stenosis.

The most common way to know if your baby has pyloric stenosis is projectile vomiting. A baby may start out with frequent spit-ups, but then move on to frequent projectile vomiting. Generally speaking, this vomiting will take place after eating, although it is possible for it to occur several hours after eating. This vomit may occasionally contain blood. However, if this vomiting contains bile, your baby probably has a problem other than pyloric stenosis.

There are other ways to know if your baby has pyloric stenosis. Some of these other symptoms can include a change in your baby’s stool. It is likely that your baby’s stools will be smaller, and fewer, because none of the food from your baby’s stomach is making it into the small intestine. Pyloric stenosis may also cause constipation, or stools that contain mucus. Some babies with pyloric stenosis may fail to gain weight, or may actually lose weight. This puts your baby at risk of dehydration, which may cause your baby to be lethargic and have a long time in between wet diapers.

Pyloric Stenosis can be diagnosed by your health care provider. Your health care provider will likely feel your baby’s abdomen to see if there is a pyloric mass, which is a sure sign of pyloric stenosis. Pyloric stenosis is corrected through a relatively common and safe procedure known as a pyloromyotomy.



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