Cow's Milk Allergy among Children with Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and cow's milk allergy (CMA) are two common conditions that occur in infancy. This study was performed to investigate the frequency of CMA in a group of patients with GERD. METHODS: Eighty-one children with signs and symptoms of GERD were enrolled in this study. All subjects received omeprazole for 4 weeks after the initial evaluation. Empirical elimination of cow's milk from the diet was started for the patients who did not respond to the omeprazole treatment. RESULTS: Seventy-two cases presented with gastrointestinal signs and symptoms, whereas the remaining nine cases presented with respiratory complaints. After the initial treatment with omeprazole, two thirds of the cases (54 patients, 66.7%) responded well, and all of their symptoms were resolved. Cow's milk was eliminated from the diets of the remaining 27 patients. All signs and symptoms of GERD were resolved in this group after a 4 week elimination of cow's milk from the diet. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of CMA was considered in one third of the pediatric cases with signs and symptoms of GERD. This finding shows that CMA can mimic or aggravate all signs and symptoms of severe GERD during infancy.

Comparing oral route paraffin oil versus rectal route for disimpaction in children with chronic constipation; a randomized control trial

Functional constipation is a common and challenging problem in pediatrics. Fecal disimpaction prior to maintenance therapy is recommended to ensure successful treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy and patient's compliance of the two methods of paraffin oil administration [oral and rectal route] with the purpose of disimpaction in treatment of children with functional constipation. A total of 80 children [49 males and 31 females] aged 1-12 years, with functional constipation according to Rome III criteria, whose rectal examination confirmed fecal impaction were divided into two groups randomly. Group I received 3 ml/kg/day paraffin oil orally and group II received 3ml/kg/day paraffin oil rectally during 3 consequent days. Successful treatment was defined as no detectable fecal impaction in rectal examination after at most 72 hours. Patient compliance and family satisfaction also was evaluated using a scored questionnaire. Response to the treatment in both groups was with 92.5% and 82.5% in group I and II, respectively. So, there was no significant difference between the two methods of therapy. Family satisfying and compliance were obviously more achieved in group 1 [87.5% vs 57.5%] than in Group 2 [P<0.001]. No parents in group I complained about type of treatment while 12.5% of parents in group II were unsatisfied with the mode of paraffin oil administration. The most common side effect of paraffin oil in both groups was anal oil seepage [27.5%]. Nausea and abdominal pain were more common side effects in group 1 and 2 respectively. It seems that using paraffin oil per oral route in comparison with rectal route could be a preferred option for disimpaction in children causing less anxiety to the family

Giant cell hepatitis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia; a case report

Giant cell hepatitis [GCH] is a histological finding in infants with neonatal cholestasis and rarely can be seen after this period. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia [A1HA] which is characterized by massive and acute red blood cell destruction due to antibody production, responds favorably to corticosteroid therapy. The combination of GCH and AIHA is a rare distinct entity that carries poor response to immunosuppressive therapy and often progresses to fatal liver disease. A 13-month-old boy was referred to us with anemia and icterus. Investigations confirmed the diagnosis of GCH which was associated with AIHA. Treatment with steroids and azathioprin failed. We changed to cyclosporine. The anemia improved by steroid and IVIG at the beginning, but few months later anemia relapsed. Finally he recovered with rituximab and now he is 6 years old in suitable condition. The association of AIHA with GCH is an uncommon condition that can be life threatening. Most patients initially respond to immunosuppressive agents, but usually recur and have an aggressive course. In this case liver disease responded to steroid and immunosuppressive therapy, but the AIHA was refractory to immunosuppressive therapy. Rituximab is used in treatment of this condition, and this treatment was well tolerated and resulted in dramatic sustained improvement of anemia