Prospective association between food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis in infancy and constipation after age 3

We sought to prospectively evaluate whether food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) during infancy is associated with increased constipation later in childhood. Using the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Allergic Proctocolitis (GMAP) cohort, we reviewed charts of children with prospective parent-reported constipation after age 3 to confirm the diagnosis of constipation. A diagnosis of FPIAP was based on pediatrician diagnosis and required guaiac-positive or grossly bloody stools, as previously published. Three hundred and seventy-five subjects had sufficient data for these analyses. Subjects with FPIAP had more than two times the odds of developing constipation after age 3 compared to subjects without (odds ratio [OR]: 2.62, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.42-4.74], p = 0.002). The use of stimulant laxatives was also higher in children with FPIAP (OR: 4.68, 95% CI: [1.47-16.04], p = 0.01). FPIAP was prospectively associated with the later development of constipation after age 3. This may suggest shared underlying pathogenesis, resultant heightened visceral hypersensitivity, and/or intestinal dysbiosis, all warranting further study.