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Trends in pyloric stenosis incidence, Atlanta, 1968 to 1982
1Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities Division, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia 30333.
Insights
Pyloric stenosis incidence did not increase in Atlanta, unlike UK reports. This study found no link between infant feeding changes and pyloric stenosis rates in North America.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric epidemiology
- Congenital anomalies
Background:
- Previous UK studies suggested a rising incidence of pyloric stenosis in the late 1970s.
- This increase was hypothesized to be linked to evolving infant feeding practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate secular trends and descriptive epidemiology of pyloric stenosis in Atlanta, USA.
- To determine if changes in US infant feeding practices correlated with pyloric stenosis incidence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, a population-based birth defects registry.
- Analyzed incidence rates from 1968 to 1982 for trends across race and sex.
Main Results:
- The overall incidence of pyloric stenosis was 1.33 per 1000 live births.
- No increasing trend in pyloric stenosis rates was observed for any race or sex.
- Higher rates were noted in males, white infants, and those with higher birth weights.
Conclusions:
- Pyloric stenosis incidence remained stable in Atlanta between 1968 and 1982.
- Findings do not support a link between changing US infant feeding practices and pyloric stenosis trends.
- Epidemiological factors like sex and race appear more significant for pyloric stenosis risk.
Abstract:
Four studies reported an increasing incidence of pyloric stenosis during the late 1970s from geographically diverse areas of the United Kingdom. It was suggested that the increased incidence might be related to changes in infant feeding practices. We used data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, a population based birth defects registry, to examine the secular trends and descriptive epidemiology of pyloric stenosis in a North American city. For the period 1968 to 1982, the incidence of pyloric stenosis was 1.33 per 1000 live births; there was no evidence of an increasing trend for either race or sex specific rates of pyloric stenosis. The descriptive epidemiology of the pyloric stenosis cases showed higher rates for males, whites, and infants of higher birth weight. We found no increasing trend in pyloric stenosis incidence in Atlanta, despite well documented changes in US infant feeding practices (an increased prevalence of breast feeding) during the 1970s.