Infantile Pyloric Stenosis Overview
Learn About Infantile Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing of the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. This is called the pylorus. This article describes the condition in infants.
Congenital hypertrophic pyloric stenosis; Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis; Gastric outlet obstruction; Vomiting - pyloric stenosis
Normally, food passes easily from the stomach into the first part of the small intestine through a valve called the pylorus. With pyloric stenosis, the muscles of the pylorus are thickened. This prevents the stomach from emptying into the small intestine.
The exact cause of the thickening is unknown. Genes may play a role, since children of parents who had pyloric stenosis are more likely to have this condition. Other risk factors include:
- Certain antibiotics
- Too much acid in the first part of the small intestine (duodenum)
- Certain diseases a baby is born with, such as diabetes
Pyloric stenosis occurs most often in infants younger than 6 months. It is more common in boys than in girls.
Vomiting is the first symptom in most children:
- Vomiting may occur after every feeding or only after some feedings.
- Vomiting usually starts around 3 weeks of age, but may start any time between 1 week and 5 months of age.
- Vomiting is forceful (projectile vomiting).
- The infant is hungry after vomiting and wants to feed again.
Other symptoms appear several weeks after birth and may include:
- Abdominal pain
- Burping
- Constant hunger
- Dehydration (gets worse as vomiting gets worse)
- Failure to gain weight or weight loss
- Wave-like motion of the abdomen shortly after feeding and just before vomiting occurs
Treatment for pyloric stenosis involves surgery to widen the pylorus. The surgery is called pyloromyotomy.
In infants who cannot have surgery, tube feeding or medicine to relax the pylorus is tried.
Bjarke Feenstra practices in Copenhagen, Denmark. Feenstra is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Pyloric Stenosis. Their top areas of expertise are Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), Tonsillitis, and Atopic Dermatitis.
Frank Geller practices in Copenhagen, Denmark. Mr. Geller is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Pyloric Stenosis. His top areas of expertise are Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Genetic Epilepsy with Febrile Seizures Plus (GEFS+), Hypospadias, and Seizures.
Ian Rogers practices in Sunderland, United Kingdom. Mr. Rogers is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Infantile Pyloric Stenosis. His top areas of expertise are Infantile Pyloric Stenosis, Gastroesophageal Reflux in Infants, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), Necrotizing Enterocolitis, and Gastrectomy.
Surgery usually relieves all symptoms. As soon as several hours after surgery, the infant can start small, frequent feedings.
If pyloric stenosis isn't treated, a baby won't get enough nutrition and fluid. The child can become underweight and dehydrated.
Contact your health care provider if your baby has symptoms of this condition.
Summary: The purpose of this study is to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of completing PROs among AYAs randomized to Choice PRO vs Fixed PRO.
Published Date: August 05, 2023
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Editorial update 09/03/2025.
Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM. Pyloric stenosis and other congenital anomalies of the stomach. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 355.
Seifarth FG, Soldes OS. Congenital anomalies and surgical disorders of the stomach. In: Wyllie R, Hyams JS, Kay M, eds. Pediatric Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 25.