Cyclic vomiting syndrome
What is cyclic vomiting syndrome?
Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is characterized by recurrent spells of severe nausea and intense vomiting. Once considered rare, CVS is now a common disorder that affects many children today — most between 3 and 7. Slightly more common in girls than boys, CVS usually persists from years to decades, and is often triggered by stress or infections.
Affected children are also prone to motion sickness and have a family history of migraine headaches. Episodes can begin at any time but typically start early in the morning. Patients vomit every five to 10 minutes and can continue for hours or days (with one to five days most common.) Constant pallor, nausea, retching, abdominal pain and dehydration occur.
During an episode, patients are lethargic and described as being in a "conscious coma." These symptoms can be frightening to the patient's family, and life-threatening for the patient, due to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. CVS is difficult to diagnose; no single blood test, X-ray or other specific procedure can pinpoint the condition.
Today, laboratory testing rules out other causes. Typical treatment involves a dark, quiet environment for sleep and IV fluids. While certain medications may help prevent and decrease severity of episodes, the best treatment often comes from combining multiple approaches.
The cyclic vomiting program at Children's Memorial Hospital
By combining our expertise in pediatric medicine with our experience in treating the entire child— and their families — our kid-centered approach consistently earns us recognition as one of the best pediatric hospitals in the nation.
To make an appointment with one of the pediatric GI specialists at Children's Memorial Hospital please call 773.880.4354.