differential diagnosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

• oesophageal atresia - the baby presents with choking rather than vomiting
• pyloric stenosis - bile is absent from the vomitus; there is a generally palpable pyloric 'tumour'; onset is later (3-4 weeks) than duodenal atresia (at birth)
• congenital intestinal obstruction: there is abdominal distension; abdominal X-ray reveals features of obstruction.

Plain radiography of the abdomen is diagnostic and shows distension of the stomach and proximal duodenum with the absence of gas in the rest of the bowel.