What symptom is least likely to occur in a patient diagnosed with pyloric stenosis?

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In the case of pyloric stenosis, the condition primarily affects infants and is characterized by the narrowing of the pylorus, leading to obstruction of the gastric outlet. One of the hallmark symptoms of this condition is projectile vomiting, which occurs due to increased pressure in the stomach and the inability to pass food into the duodenum. Alongside vomiting, infants often present with constant hunger since they are unable to retain food in their stomachs, leading them to feed frequently without any lasting satisfaction.

Dehydration is also a common occurrence in these patients because of frequent vomiting, which can lead to significant fluid losses and electrolyte imbalances.

In contrast, hemoccult positive stools are not typically associated with pyloric stenosis. This symptom suggests the presence of blood in the stool, which could indicate gastrointestinal bleeding or other issues unrelated to pyloric stenosis. Therefore, hemoccult positive stools are the least likely symptom to occur in a patient diagnosed with this condition, as they are not a direct consequence of the pyloric obstruction.

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