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Lactobezoar in the low-birth-weight infant

A Erenberg, R D Shaw, D Yousefzadeh

    Pediatrics
    |April 1, 1979
    PubMed

    Insights

    Lactobezoars, a rare infant feeding complication, occurred in seven low-birth-weight infants. Withholding feeding temporarily resolved symptoms without recurrence, suggesting a manageable condition.

    Area of Science:

    • Neonatal Medicine
    • Pediatric Gastroenterology

    Background:

    • Lactobezoar is an uncommon complication of infant feeding.
    • It can present in low-birth-weight infants, sometimes with severe outcomes like gastric perforation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of lactobezoars in low-birth-weight infants.
    • To evaluate the efficacy of conservative treatment.

    Main Methods:

    • Retrospective review of seven low-birth-weight infants diagnosed with lactobezoars.
    • Diagnostic confirmation using supine or cross-table lateral chest roentgenograms including the upper abdomen.
    • Treatment involved a 24-hour withholding of feeding.

    Main Results:

    • Seven low-birth-weight infants developed lactobezoars.
    • Abdominal distention and regurgitation were the most common symptoms.
    • One infant experienced gastric perforation.
    • All infants were fed specialized formulas for low-birth-weight infants.
    • Diagnosis was confirmed via radiography.
    • Withholding feeding for 24 hours led to symptom resolution.

    Conclusions:

    • Lactobezoars are a rare but significant complication in low-birth-weight infants fed specialized formulas.
    • Radiography is effective for diagnosis.
    • Conservative management (withholding feeding) is successful and prevents recurrence.

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