title: Evaluation of the vomiting infant.
abstract: This 12-month prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the cost, risk, and benefit of ultrasound followed by upper gastrointestinal series for the evaluation of the infant who vomits. Results suggest minimal morbidity from the upper gastrointestinal series, only a 33% reduction in the number of upper gastrointestinal series performed, and a 95% increase in cost if this imaging sequence is used. We conclude that the use of ultrasound for the initial evaluation of vomiting in infants substantially increases the cost with no meaningful decrease in morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology, Children's Hospital, Denver, Colo.
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Foley
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Slovis
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Strain
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Luckey
mesh_terms: D004064:Digestive System / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011707:Pyloric Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology*