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Allergic gastrointestinal motility disorders in infancy and early childhood

Ralf G Heine1

  • 1Department of Gastroenterology & Clinical Nutrition Royal Children's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. ralf.heine@rch.org.au

Pediatric Allergy and Immunology : Official Publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
|August 21, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Food protein allergy can cause gastrointestinal issues like reflux, constipation, and colic in infants. Diagnosis involves considering allergy and may require biopsies, with treatment focusing on hypoallergenic diets.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Allergology
  • Clinical Nutrition

Background:

  • Infantile functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) such as gastro-oesophageal reflux, constipation, and colic are highly prevalent.
  • Dietary elimination of specific food proteins can improve symptoms in a subset of infants with these FGIDs.
  • Food protein-induced gastrointestinal motility disorders warrant consideration in the differential diagnosis of persistent infant FGIDs unresponsive to conventional therapies.

Observation:

  • Clinical presentation of food protein-induced gastrointestinal motility disorders lacks specific features and reliable laboratory markers.
  • Gastrointestinal biopsies prior to dietary intervention may offer crucial diagnostic insights.
  • Early identification is vital to prevent adverse nutritional outcomes and feeding difficulties.

Findings:

  • Diagnosis of food protein-induced gastrointestinal motility disorders is challenging due to non-specific symptoms and lack of biomarkers.
  • Gastrointestinal biopsies can be informative for diagnosis.
  • Hypoallergenic formulas and maternal elimination diets (for breastfed infants) are primary treatment strategies.

Implications:

  • Consider gastrointestinal food allergy in infants with persistent FGIDs unresponsive to standard treatments.
  • Gastrointestinal biopsies may aid in diagnosing these motility disorders.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are crucial for preventing long-term feeding issues and nutritional deficits in affected infants.

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