A physician whom will order the blood draw and whom the study results will be communicated with will need to be identified. A blood sample will be obtained by order of the subject's physicians and sent to Dr. Boles' laboratory. If the subject requires a blood draw for medical purposes, this sample can be obtained at the same time. There are non-mitochondrial metabolic disorders which can cause cyclic vomiting and should be tested for. These disorders include urea cycle defects and organic acidemias, and are for the most part treatable.
Diagnosis is based on metabolic testing performed on blood and urine.
However, these samples must be obtained at the peak of a vomiting episode. You and your physician will be notified regarding the result of the study. Since this is a research test, it may be several months or over a year before results are available. If the results are positive, we will assist in refering you to a local specialist. You or your child will have access to highly specialized diagnostic testing which is not currently available outside this study area.