Infantile hypertrophic pylotic stenosis is rare in an indigenous population of the United Arab Emirates

ABSTRACT

An 11-year retrospective study was carried out to estimate the incidence of infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis among the indigenous national population of the United Arab Emirates [UAE]. Data for the period 1984-1994 inclusive came from the surgical operation and medical records of all patients with pyloric stenosis in Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, UAE. Tawam Hospital is one of principal teaching hospitals of the country. During the 11-year period, 10 male patients, all UAE nationals had a pyloromyotomy performed for infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis, giving a mean rate of 0.61 per 1,000 live births. While the yearly incidence fluctuated, there was no overall increase. This fluctuation is similar to reports for UK patients. We conclude that pyloric stenosis is a rare condition among nationals of the UAE in comparison to populations of developed countries, and showes no signs of increasing. In our series, it is also an exclusively male condition