Diagnosis of CVS has been difficult because vomiting may be caused by a large number of other disorders that are more common. CVS is usually a diagnosis by exclusion. At present there are no diagnostic methods e.g. no blood or urine tests, that can be used to diagnose the disorder.
A diagnosis, or more correctly a classification, of CVS may take several years to achieve. Many sufferers will undergo numerous tests and sometimes mis-diagnoses before their condition is recognised.


Formal criteria for diagnosis are shown below,, but these probably omit some very common signs.
In CVS the pattern of vomiting is such that at the peak this can be 5-6 times per hour. This is different from vomiting induced by most other causes.Onset of vomiting is most often between 2 a.m. and 8 a.m. again, this is unusual in other forms of vomiting.


In 1994 the CVSA UK and USA together with sponsorship from Glaxo Welcome sponsored a Symposium on CVS held in London, UK. During the meeting a series of criteria were agreed for the formal diagnosis of CVS, these are still the best available and most widely accepted. In many ways this was a huge step forward in the recognition of CVS and its wider acceptance as a serious health issue. Essential criteria are a requirement for diagnosis. Supportive criteria may strengthen the diagnosis, not all of the criteria may be apparent in any one individual. Associated signs are features that are more difficult to quantitate but may be associated with CVS.The proceedings of this symposium were published, see Reference Section.


Essential Criteria

 
Supportive Criteria

Pattern

Stereotypical: each episode similar within individuals as to time of onset, intensity, duration, frequency, associated symptoms and signs.
 
Associated Symptoms

Page last Modified 23/3/02