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Cow's milk intolerance and abdominal surgery: a puzzling connection
Insights
Infants with gastro-esophageal reflux or pyloric stenosis may also have cow's milk intolerance (CMI). Surgery did not resolve symptoms; a cow's milk protein-free diet was required for recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Allergy and Immunology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Infantile gastro-esophageal reflux and pyloric stenosis are common surgical conditions.
- Cow's milk intolerance (CMI) can present with gastrointestinal symptoms in infants.
- The interplay between surgical pathology and CMI requires further investigation.
Abstract:
We describe 9 infants (ranging from 1 to 6 1/2 months) in whom a surgical pathology (gastro-esophageal reflux and/or pyloric stenosis) was associated with cow's milk intolerance (CMI). In all cases vomiting and/or failure to thrive did not disappear after surgery. The patients recovered only after dietary manipulation by cow's milk protein free diet. In 5 out of 9 cases, multiple food intolerances were present (soy and/or casein hydrolysates). In all cases the diagnosis of CMI was confirmed by challenge test. The connections between CMI and abdominal surgery in infancy are discussed.