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Published on: July 28, 2022
[Causes of hematochezia in exclusively breast fed infants]
1Department of Gastroenterology, Wuhan Children's Hospital, Wuhan 430016, China.
Insights
Exclusively breastfed infants experiencing hematochezia may react to maternal dietary proteins. A protein-free maternal diet rapidly resolved infant hematochezia symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Gastroenterology
- Immunology
Context:
- Hematochezia in exclusively breastfed infants presents a diagnostic challenge.
- Identifying the etiology is crucial for appropriate management and to ensure continued breastfeeding.
Purpose:
- To investigate the underlying causes of hematochezia in exclusively breastfed infants.
- To determine the role of maternal dietary proteins in infant hematochezia.
Summary:
- This study enrolled 75 exclusively breastfed infants with hematochezia.
- Diagnostic workup included laboratory tests, colonoscopy, and histology, revealing colonitis and eosinophilia.
- Maternal adherence to a protein-free diet led to rapid resolution of hematochezia in infants.
Impact:
- Findings suggest maternal dietary protein sensitivity as a cause of hematochezia in exclusively breastfed infants.
- This highlights the importance of maternal diet modification in managing such cases.
- Supports continued breastfeeding while addressing infant gastrointestinal symptoms.
Objective:
To investigate the causes of haematochezia in exclusively breast fed infants.
Methods:
Seventy-five babies presenting with haematochezia were enrolled. These babies were exclusively breast fed. The age of haematochezia occurrence, concomitant symptoms and laboratory findings (including routine blood test, routine stool test, liver function, stool culture, colonoscopy and histological examination) were recorded. The mothers of the 75 babies were given a diet without animal and floristic proteins for four weeks. The symptoms of haematochzia in the babies were observed after maternal protein-free diets.
Results:
Haematochezia occurred at an average age of 7.4 weeks. Diarrhea was the most common concomitant symptom (71%). The laboratory testing showed that mild anaemia was the most common (60%). Red cells and white cells were found in the routine stool test. Stool culture was negative. Colonitis was proved through colonoscopy. Twenty babies underwent histological examinations and eosinophilia was noted. Gross hematochezia disappeared 72-96 hrs after maternal protein-free diets.
Conclusions:
Exclusively breast fed infants may be sensitive to protein taken by their mothers and may appear with haematochazia.
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