Chronic vomiting in children: A prospective study reveals rumination syndrome is an important etiology that is underdiagnosed and untreated

The diagnosis of rumination syndrome is frequently overlooked, and under-recognized; children are subjected to unnecessary testing and inappropriate treatment for a condition which can be diagnosed clinically and managed easily. In the first ever systematic exploration of this condition from India, we present a prospective study on children with chronic vomiting in which rumination emerged as the predominant cause.

This was a prospective study in which all consecutive children (5–18 years) presenting with chronic or recurrent vomiting of at least 2-month duration were enrolled. Clinical history was assessed by a physician-administered questionnaire. All subjects underwent standard testing followed by additional investigations as required. The ROME III criteria were used.

Fifty children (28 boys, age 12.2 + 3 years) were enrolled. Diagnosis was rumination syndrome 30, cyclical vomiting 8, functional vomiting 6, intestinal tuberculosis 4, intestinal malrotation 1, and superior mesenteric artery syndrome 1. Children with rumination syndrome had a relapsing and remitting (12, 40%) or a chronically symptomatic course (18, 60%). These children received incorrect diagnoses (26, 87%) or no diagnosis (3, 10%) and extensive investigation before referral. Before referral, children with rumination syndrome were treated with a median of four drugs (range 1 to 9); two underwent surgery (appendectomy) for their symptoms while one child was subjected to electroconvulsive therapy. Overall, resolution after treatment was seen in 26 (87%) with a relapse in 8 (27%) children.

The diagnosis of rumination syndrome is delayed and these children are often inappropriately treated. Therapy in the form of diaphragmatic breathing has a good success rate.