This means that the narrow canal that leads from the stomach into the next part of the intestinal tract, the duodenum, is extremely narrow. For this reason it does not allow food to pass normally. It is more common in males, and more frequent with first babies.
The most important and earliest symptom is vomiting. This often commences about the 14th day of life, and becomes worse. It frequently occurs about half an hour after a feed. Because the food is not being absorbed by the system, baby is always hungry, but fails to thrive. As time progresses, vomiting may become projectile—it comes out with force and vigour—not merely dribbling down the side of the face, which is the common form of baby vomiting (as with burping). Later on, appetite is lost, as serious changes commence internally. The bowel actions tend to become loose and green in colour. As baby loses weight and fails to thrive, symptoms continue unabated. Between two and five per cent develop jaundice. The baby may become dehydrated, and the stomach may become distended.
Any symptoms like these need prompt investigation by the doctor. Often the cause is readily diagnosed, sometimes from an X-ray of the bowel.
Treatment is by surgery. The risks are low and the results are usually strikingly good. The baby soon starts to eat normally, can now digest food, starts to thrive, looks better, and rapidly becomes a normal infant. Long-term the results are also excellent. In short, the beneficial effects are usually dramatic.
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