[Hypertrophic stenosis of the pylorus. Correlations with allergy to milk proteins and atopy].

We performed a study concerning the relationship between hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS), atopy and cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). Familial history of atopy was documented in 17 (44.7%) of 38 infants having undergone Ramstedt pyloromyotomy for HPS, in 12 (23%) of 52 infants having undergone surgery for inguinal hernia and in 53 (26.9%) of 290 normal controls (significant differences between HPS and other groups). Moreover 9 (23.6%) of 38 infants with HPS presented personal history of eczema at follow-up compared with 3 (5.7%) infants having undergone surgery for inguinal hernia (p less than 0.01). A significant difference between HPS and other groups was also found when looking for familial history of CMPA: 26.3% vs % and 2.5% respectively (p less than 0.001). Eventually we discovered a higher than expected incidence of CMPA both in a retrospectively evaluated group of HPS and in 24 infants undergone Ramstedt pyloromyotomy and followed according to a standardized protocol for a mean period of 4 months (16.6%). The etiology of HPS remains obscure. Our data however suggest some relationship between HPS, atopy and particularly CMPA.