Vomiting, Cyclic

Basics

An idiopathic disorder characterized by recurrent, discrete episodes of disabling nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain lasting hours to days, separated by symptom-free intervals
More common in pediatric population but increase in recognition of among adults
Adult population – average age of diagnosis is 31:
- Average age of onset is 21
Pediatric population – average age of diagnosis is 9
General characteristics:
- Phase 1: Interepisodic phase:
  - Symptom free
- Phase 2: Prodrome:
  - Varying intensity of nausea, diaphoresis, abdominal pain
- Phase 3: Emetic phase:
  - Intense nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and lethargy up to 7 d
- Phase 4: Recovery phase:
  - Improvement of nausea and tolerance of PO intake

Incidence and Prevalence Estimates

True incidence and prevalence in adult general population unknown due to limited data and research, but there is an increase in recognition of syndrome
In pediatric population, cyclic vomiting syndrome affects 0.04–2% of population with estimated new cases 3/100,000 annually

Etiology unknown
Pathophysiology is also unknown and is under research:
- Limited research suggests multifactorial factors such as autonomic, central, and environmental to be involved

There's more to see -- the rest of this topic is available only to subscribers.