Major Symptoms Of Pyloric Stenosis

Stomach Contractions

Peristalsis is the normal, painless contractions of the digestive system that helps food pass through it. They normally occur in the stomach. However, because the stomach of a baby with pyloric stenosis can’t easily send food into the small intestine because of the thickened pylorus, it works to force the food through the valve. When this can’t be done, it results in projectile vomiting. Often, the parent or the doctor can actually see the stomach contractions after the baby is fed but just before they vomit. These are ripples that can be seen undulating from left to right through the baby’s abdomen. The contractions can even be felt as a mass in the baby’s belly, which is often described as olive-like in shape.