Journal of Neonatal Biology

Unusual presentation of cow milk protein allergy in a neonate

20^th International Conference on Neonatology and Perinatology

December 04-06, 2017 | Madrid, Spain

Jamie Alexander Grech, Pace K, Mizzi C and Shoukry M

Mater Dei Hospital, Malta

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Neonatal Biol

Abstract:

Cowâ??s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) represents the majority of food allergies in children, especially in early childhood, with an incidence of up to 3% in the first year of life. Indeed, 90% of patients develop CMPA before they reach 3 months of age and often within a week of introducing cowâ??s milk protein into their diet. Classical presentation may involve variable gastrointestinal symptomatology, inclusively regurgitation, vomiting, diarrhoea or constipation, among other non-gastrointestinal signs and symptoms. We report an unusual presentation of CMPA in a previously healthy eight day old formula fed baby girl, who was admitted due to multiple episodes of vomiting followed by a single instance of bile-stained vomiting associated with marooncoloured blood stained stools on the first day of admission. Physical examination was non-remarkable. Initial diagnostic investigation included a water-contrast upper gastrointestinal tract study with follow-through and delayed films, to exclude mid-gut malrotation as sinister surgical pathology. Elimination of ominous pathologies from the differential diagnosis and cessation of symptoms with interruption of formula feeds led to a working diagnosis of CMPA. Reintroduction of hypo-allergic formula feeds elicited no relapse of symptoms, and the patient improved dramatically, further supporting this diagnosis. High index of suspicion is mandatory in management of such challenging cases.

Biography :

Jamie Grech completed undergraduate medical education at the University of Malta in 2016, before completing a Postgraduate Certificate in Child Welfare and Wellbeing from Oxford Brookes University. He is currently reading for a Master of Science degree in Neonatal Medicine at Cardiff University while undergoing Foundation Programme training at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta.