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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffIf you suspect that your child has pyloric stenosis, you're likely to start by seeing your child's pediatrician. However, you may then be referred to a doctor who specializes in treating digestive disorders (gastroenterologist).
Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment, and what to expect from your doctor.
What you can do
- Write down any symptoms you've noticed in your baby, including any that may seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment. Try to keep track of the times your baby vomits. Is it always after eating? Note if the amount of vomit appears to be most or just part of what the baby has eaten, and if the vomit is forcefully projected.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing a list of questions can help you make the most of your time together. For pyloric stenosis, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:
- What's the most likely cause of my baby's symptoms?
- What kinds of tests does my baby need? Do these tests require any special preparation?
- Will surgery stop the symptoms permanently?
- Is surgery the only treatment?
- What are the risks associated with surgery?
- What are the risks associated with the general anesthesia needed for the surgery?
- Will there be any dietary restrictions after surgery?
- Are there any brochures or other printed material that I can take with me? What websites do you recommend?
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over points you want to spend more time on. Your doctor may ask:
- When did your baby first begin experiencing symptoms?
- Have the symptoms been continuous, or occasional? Do they occur only after eating?
- Does your baby seem hungry after vomiting?
- Does the vomit come out forcefully?
- What was your baby's last recorded weight?
- Olive AP, et al. Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- Sondheimer JM, et al. Gastrointestinal tract. In: Hay WW Jr., et al. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Pediatrics. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3403837. Accessed June 23, 2010.
- D'Agostino J. Common abdominal emergencies in children. Emergency Medicine Clinics of North America. 2002;20:139.
- Guidelines for surgical treatment of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis. Los Angeles, Ca.: International Pediatric Endosurgery Group. http://www.ipeg.org/education/guidelines/pyloric.html. Accessed July 7, 2010.
- Pyloric stenosis. The American Pediatric Surgical Association. http://www.eapsa.org//Surgeons/Content/NavigationMenu/Media/Resources/Pyloric_Stenosis.htm. Accessed July 7, 2010.
- Hoecker J (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 8, 2010.
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