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Evaluation of the vomiting infant.
L C Foley1, T L Slovis, J B Campbell
1Division of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Denver, Colo.
American Journal of Diseases of Children (1960)
|June 1, 1989
Summary
Ultrasound before upper gastrointestinal series for infant vomiting increases costs by 95% with no significant reduction in infant morbidity or mortality. This imaging sequence is not cost-effective for evaluating vomiting in infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Imaging
- Gastroenterology
- Diagnostic Radiology
Background:
- Infantile vomiting is a common clinical presentation requiring diagnostic evaluation.
- Upper gastrointestinal series (UGIS) is a standard imaging modality for evaluating vomiting in infants.
- The role of initial ultrasound (US) in this diagnostic pathway is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the cost-effectiveness, risks, and benefits of using ultrasound followed by UGIS for evaluating vomiting infants.
- To compare the diagnostic yield and clinical outcomes of this imaging sequence versus traditional methods.
Main Methods:
- A 12-month prospective study.
- Inclusion of infants presenting with vomiting.
- Evaluation using an imaging sequence of initial ultrasound followed by UGIS when indicated.
Main Results:
- A 33% reduction in the number of UGIS examinations performed.
- A significant 95% increase in overall imaging costs.
- No meaningful decrease in infant morbidity or mortality observed.
Conclusions:
- Initial ultrasound for infant vomiting evaluation substantially increases healthcare costs.
- The addition of ultrasound does not lead to a clinically significant reduction in morbidity or mortality.
- The current imaging sequence is not cost-effective for the initial evaluation of vomiting in infants.