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Cow's-milk-induced allergic colitis in an exclusively breast-fed infant: diagnosed with ultrasound
Y Patenaude1, C Bernard, R Schreiber
1Department of Medical Imaging, Montreal Children's Hospital, Quebec, Canada.
Insights
Allergic proctocolitis can cause vomiting and bloody stools in infants. Maternal dietary changes, excluding dairy, effectively treated this condition in an exclusively breastfed infant.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Neonatal Medicine
Background:
- An 8-week-old exclusively breastfed infant presented with irritability and projectile vomiting.
- Initial evaluation aimed to rule out pyloric stenosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of non-bilious projectile vomiting and gastrointestinal symptoms in an infant.
- To identify potential food allergies contributing to infant gastrointestinal distress.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound examination suggested colitis.
- Detailed patient history revealed colicky pain and bloody stools.
- Infectious colitis was excluded; rectal biopsy confirmed allergic proctocolitis.
Main Results:
- The infant's symptoms resolved following the elimination of cow's milk and dairy products from the mother's diet.
- This dietary intervention demonstrated the efficacy of allergen removal.
Conclusions:
- Allergic proctocolitis is a critical differential diagnosis for infants presenting with vomiting and/or bloody stools.
- Maternal dietary modification is an effective treatment for allergic proctocolitis in breastfed infants.
Background:
An exclusively breast-fed-8-week-old boy presented with irritability and non-bilious projectile vomiting. He was referred to our Medical Imaging Department to eliminate pyloric stenosis.
Patient And Methods:
A diagnosis of colitis was strongly suggested by ultrasound. A more detailed history revealed that the patient also had episodes of colicky pain and bloody stools. An infectious colitis was subsequently excluded and rectal biopsy supported the diagnosis of allergic proctocolitis.
Results:
The infant responded well to the withdrawal of cow's milk and dairy products from the maternal diet.
Conclusion:
Allergic proctocolitis should be included in the differential diagnosis of infants presenting with vomiting and/or bloody stools.