[On the subject of the cyclic vomiting syndrome]

Arch Pediatr. 2003 Apr;10(4):385-91. doi: 10.1016/s0929-693x(03)00083-6.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The cyclic vomiting syndrome is defined by episodes of vomiting lasting from hours to days with free intervals between episodes. Various symptoms can be associated with vomiting: nausea, abdominal pain, photophobia, fever, pallor, dehydratation, excess salivation, social withdrawal. Some factors often precipitate the crisis: infection, psychological stresses, menstruation. Excluding a medical condition, especially a gastro-intestinal or a neurological disease is compulsory for the diagnostic of cyclic vomiting syndrome. The cyclic vomiting syndrome shares many common features with migraine including treatment. Due to negative paraclinical testing, a psychiatric disease is often suspected in these children. Pathophysiology of cyclic vomiting syndrome is unknown. As for migraine, mitochondrial and ionic channels abnormalities are thought to play a role. Overactivation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic dysfunction seem to be involved too. Three clinical vignets will illustrate these aspects.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / complications
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Hypothalamic Diseases / complications
  • Infections / complications
  • Male
  • Menstruation
  • Migraine Disorders / complications
  • Mitochondrial Diseases / complications
  • Periodicity
  • Risk Factors
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Syndrome
  • Vomiting* / diagnosis
  • Vomiting* / etiology
  • Vomiting* / therapy