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Bilious vomiting in the newborn: How often is it pathologic?
Prasad Godbole1, Mark D Stringer
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, England.
Journal of Pediatric Surgery
|May 31, 2002
Summary
Bilious vomiting in newborns often suggests intestinal obstruction, but this study found 62% of cases had no surgical cause. Most infants with non-surgical bilious vomiting experienced no long-term issues.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Surgery
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Clinical Outcomes
Background:
- Bilious vomiting is a common neonatal surgical unit admission symptom.
- Not all neonatal bilious vomiting indicates intestinal obstruction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the outcomes of neonates presenting with bilious vomiting.
- To differentiate surgical from non-surgical causes of neonatal bilious vomiting.
Main Methods:
- Prospective audit of neonates with bilious vomiting over two years.
- Inclusion criteria: bilious vomiting; exclusion: bilious aspirates without vomiting.
- Data collected: demographics, symptoms, investigations, diagnoses, and clinical progress.
Main Results:
- Sixty-three neonates were analyzed (median gestational age 40 weeks).
- Surgical causes identified in 38% (e.g., Hirschsprung's disease, atresia, malrotation).
- Non-surgical causes found in 62%, resolving with conservative management.
Conclusions:
- Bilious vomiting in newborns warrants investigation for intestinal obstruction.
- A significant majority (62%) of neonatal bilious vomiting cases were not due to obstruction.
- Most neonates with non-obstructive bilious vomiting had favorable outcomes.