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Primary Care Liaison

Pyloric stenosis or vomiting - pre-referral

  • This is an urgent surgical condition.

    Assessment and when to refer

    History for 2 - 8 week old babies.

    • Non-bile vomiting in 2-8 week old babies.
    • Frequent forceful vomits with a variable time after feeds.
    • Baby is hungry for next feed - important feature distinguishing from sepsis.
    • Often reduced stooling frequency.
    • Always some degree of dehydration and weight loss.
      • IMMEDIATE REFERRAL via the Emergency Department for surgical opinion.(Refer to Contact Information below).
        • Please provide history and any investigations undertaken.

    Resources

    References and more reading

    • Paediatric Handbook (2009). Gastrointestinal Conditions, Chapter 24 (pp369-389) Mark Oliver and Lionel Lubitz. Eighth Edition, Blackwell Publishing. By the staff of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

    Thanks to Consultant Paediatric Surgeon Tom Clarnette for permission to adapt existing guidelines.  Many thanks to the GPs involved in the review.  First published Dec 2007. Reviewed August 2009. Please read Copyright and Disclaimer.