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Intestinal obstruction caused by potato bezoar in infancy: a report of three cases

Hsun-Chin Chao1, Kuei-Wen Chang, Chao-Jan Wang

  • 1Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Children's Medical Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan. chaohero@yahoo.com

Pediatrics and Neonatology
|April 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Mashed potato feeding in infants under four months can cause intestinal obstruction due to bezoar formation. Endoscopic removal resolved symptoms, highlighting the need to prohibit this practice in young infants.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Gastroenterology
  • Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

  • Infantile intestinal obstruction is a critical condition requiring prompt diagnosis and management.
  • Bezoars, concretions of indigestible material, are rare causes of obstruction in infants.

Observation:

  • Three young infants (≤4 months) presented with vomiting, irritability, and abdominal distention.
  • Barium gastrointestinal series identified intraluminal filling defects consistent with bezoars in the duodenum and ileum.

Findings:

  • Potato bezoars were diagnosed as the cause of intestinal obstruction in all three infants.
  • Endoscopic retrieval of bezoars from the pylorus and duodenal bulb was successful in all cases.
  • Infants' symptoms resolved post-bezoar elimination, with no recurrence.

Implications:

  • The findings suggest a causal link between feeding mashed potato to infants ≤4 months and bezoar formation.
  • Prohibiting mashed potato as an infant food for those ≤4 months is recommended to prevent bezoar-related intestinal obstruction.

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