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Corticosteroid-responsive enteropathy of infancy

Steven N Lichtman1, Katherine B Freeman, J Marc Rhoads

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7220, USA. lichtman@med.unc.edu

Journal of Health, Population, and Nutrition
|April 8, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Corticosteroids effectively treated persistent diarrhea in infants unresponsive to formula. This treatment offers rapid symptom resolution, suggesting its benefit for similar pediatric cases.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Persistent diarrhea in infants under three months is a significant clinical challenge.
  • Infants presented with severe symptoms including acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, and malnutrition.
  • Standard formula treatments were ineffective in resolving the persistent diarrhea.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of intravenous corticosteroids in treating persistent diarrhea of unknown origin in infants.
  • To compare outcomes in infants treated with corticosteroids versus those who did not receive them.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 19 infants with persistent diarrhea, acidosis, hypoalbuminemia, and malnutrition was studied.
  • Endoscopic biopsies revealed gastrointestinal inflammation.
  • 14 infants received intravenous corticosteroids, while 5 served as a control group.

Main Results:

  • Infants treated with corticosteroids experienced rapid diarrhea resolution (3.8 days).
  • Controls had significantly prolonged diarrhea (92-147 days in 3 infants).
  • Corticosteroids were well-tolerated and successfully weaned over four months.

Conclusions:

  • Intravenous corticosteroids are a beneficial treatment for infants with unresponsive persistent diarrhea of unknown origin.
  • The findings support prospective evaluation of corticosteroids for this condition.
  • Early intervention with corticosteroids may prevent prolonged illness and malnutrition in affected infants.

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