In plain words
Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis is a reaction to a food protein, most often cow's milk protein, in the baby's gut. It shows up as blood-streaked mucus in the stool. Most babies with it seem well otherwise. They may be gassy or fussy, but they gain weight and feed normally. It usually appears in the first weeks of life, and it often settles after the trigger food is removed from the mother's diet or changed in the formula. The change is made with a provider. Blood in a baby's stool needs a call to your pediatrician, even when the baby seems fine, so the cause can be checked. This is a condition with a known pattern, and your provider can help you sort it out.
The deeper version
FPIAP is a non-IgE-mediated disease, usually presenting in the first weeks to months, with blood and mucus in stool in an otherwise well infant. Eosinophilic inflammation of the colonic mucosa is typical on biopsy when performed. The ESPGHAN position paper on (Koletzko et al., 2012) describes the diagnostic approach, including elimination and re-challenge, and recommends where formula feeding is used. Distinguishing FPIAP from infectious colitis, , and other causes of blood in stool is part of the evaluation. Prevalence estimates vary, and many infants outgrow the condition by the first or second year.
Where it comes up
- Dairy and other sensitivities in a breastfed babyFeeding Your Baby
- Formula feeding: choosing, preparing, and doing it wellFeeding Your Baby
- Combo feeding: breast and formulaFeeding Your Baby
- When to call the pediatrician (and when to go in)Baby Basics
What mothers here say about food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis
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Sources
- Koletzko S et al. — Diagnosis and management of cow's milk protein allergy in infants, ESPGHAN position paper, 2012