Pyloric Stenosis
Written by Andrew Sarski on December 12, 2011
Pyloric Stenosis
Pyloric stenosis birth defects may result in medical malpractice lawsuits being filed by victims. If you have been the victim of a medical mistake that led to pyloric stenosis, contact a birth defect attorney to discuss your legal options.
Pyloric stenosis is a narrowing of the pylorus, which is the opening from the stomach into the small intestine. Under normal circumstances, food passes easily from the stomach into the first part of the small intestine through a valve called the pylorus. In children with pyloric stenosis, the muscles of the pylorus are thickened, which narrows the opening and prevents the stomach from emptying into the small intestine. Males are more commonly affected by this birth defect than females, with firstborn males affected four times as often. If your child was born with pyloric stenosis and you believe a medical mistake to be the cause, contact an experienced birth defect attorney, as your child may be entitled to lifetime care for his injuries and medical treatments.
Pyloric Stenosis Symptoms
The first symptoms of pyloric stenosis in children is vomiting, which may occur after every feeding or only after some feedings. Vomiting of this kind usually starts around three weeks of age, but may begin any time between one week and five months of age. In most cases, the vomiting is forceful and the infant will be hungry again after vomiting. Other pyloric stenosis symptoms often appear several weeks after birth and may include:
- Constant hunger
- Abdominal pain
- Belching
- Failure to gain weight
- Dehydration
- Wave-like motion of the abdomen shortly after feeding
Pyloric Stenosis Treatment and Outlook
Pyloric stenosis treatment involves surgery to split the overdeveloped muscles, which typically provides complete relief of symptoms. Few cases of pyloric stenosis are mild enough to be treated medically. Unfortunately, some children may suffer from pyloric stenosis complications, which can include stomach irritation, an electrolyte imbalance, and jaundice. The main danger of this birth defect is associated with the dehydration and electrolyte disturbance, rather than with the underlying problem itself.
Birth Defect Attorneys for Pyloric Stenosis Injuries
Research indicates that babies given certain antibiotics in the first weeks of life for whooping cough have an increased risk of pyloric stenosis. In addition, babies born to mothers who were given certain antibiotics in late pregnancy may also have an increased risk of this birth defect. If you or a loved one has suffered from pyloric stenosis, which you believe to be the result of medical malpractice, contact an experienced birth defect attorney to discuss your legal options. You may be entitled to financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering, which you can collect by filing a medical malpractice lawsuit against the allegedly negligent doctor, hospital or Ob/Gyn. With the help of a skilled birth defect lawyer, victims and their families can protect their rights and collect the compensation they deserve.