On the subject of the cyclic vomiting syndrome]

The cyclic vomiting syndrome is defined by episodes of vomiting lasting from hours to days with free intervals between episodes. Various symptoms can be associated with vomiting: nausea, abdominal pain, photophobia, fever, pallor, dehydratation, excess salivation, social withdrawal. Some factors often precipitate the crisis: infection, psychological stresses, menstruation. Excluding a medical condition, especially a gastro-intestinal or a neurological disease is compulsory for the diagnostic of cyclic vomiting syndrome. The cyclic vomiting syndrome shares many common features with migraine including treatment. Due to negative paraclinical testing, a psychiatric disease is often suspected in these children. Pathophysiology of cyclic vomiting syndrome is unknown. As for migraine, mitochondrial and ionic channels abnormalities are thought to play a role. Overactivation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and autonomic dysfunction seem to be involved too. Three clinical vignets will illustrate these aspects.