What is Pyloric Stenosis?
Pyloric Stenosis is a congenital condition in which thickening of the muscle at the exit of the stomach causes a blockage. This blockage can then lead to increasingly more severe and stronger vomiting than usual. It will usually first occur at about two or three weeks of age and will be accompanied by constipation. They doctor will usually first notice a lump in your babies’ stomach area. You will also be able to notice stomach spasms that will occur repeatedly.
Believe it or not doctors say that it is becoming more of a common problem. According to statistic one boy in two hundred will be diagnosed with this disorder. And one girl in about one thousand will be diagnosed. These statistics are based on a yearly basis, according to the pediatric association. But you may be wondering if your baby is at risk? Some doctors believe that it is something that runs in families. Other doctors are still not clear on what really triggers the development of this disorder. What is the treatment? Well in order to treat this problem surgery must be performed. This can only be done when the babies’ fluid levels have normalized and the doctors feel it is safe to operate. According to many pediatric doctors, surgery always seems to correct the problem. Of course since the baby is so young, it is still considered to be a risk. It will comfort you to know that if your baby is diagnosed with this disorder, that about ninety percent of babies come out just fine.
This type of disorder usually causes a lot of stress on the parents. It is important that if your baby is diagnosed that you have a good support group to help you during this difficult time. Obviously the family will want to pay close attention to the mom who has just given birth to a baby she can not take home. Many doctors feel that this sometimes adds to a mother postpartum depression. To help ease your mind you should be able to sit down and speak with the doctor before the procedure is performed. They will be able to walk you through the surgery step by step. In most cases it will help if the parents know exactly what is going to be done to their baby. Remember that the prognosis for this condition is an excellent one so try to keep that in mind. Once it is over you will have a perfectly healthy baby to take home with you.
