What causes pyloric Stenosis? There is no exact cause for pyloric stenosis, although genetic factor, gender and certain medications may play a role.
Causes of pyloric stenosis
Generally, food easily travels from the stomach into the small intestine through a valve (pylorus sphincter). In pyloric stenosis, there is an abnormally thickening of muscles around the pylorus. This makes the stomach outlet to narrow and stops the stomach content from emptying into the small intestine. The cause of the pylorus muscle thickening is unknown.
Risk factors of pyloric stenosis
Genetic factors may play a role in the development of pyloric stenosis. Children to parents who had pyloric stenosis are more chances to have this condition.
Some of the pyloric stenosis risk factors may be:
- Genetics - family history of the pyloric stenosis
- Gender – male babies have four times more chances than female
- Genetic abnormalities
- Certain antibiotic medications use shortly after birth. However, most infants diagnosed as pyloric stenosis have not given antibiotics early after birth. In addition, babies born to mothers who have given certain antibiotics in late pregnancy also may have an increased risk of pyloric stenosis.
- It usually affects babies born completing full term and rarely develops among premature infants.
- It mostly affects firstborn babies.