Food Protein-Induced Protocolitis: A Case Report of a Two-Day-Old Boy

Abstract

Bloody stools from rectal bleeding in healthy newborns are rare, and swallowing of maternal blood is a more common cause. Here, we present a two-day-old newborn who swallowed maternal blood and presented with a bloody stool who was later diagnosed with food protein-induced protocolitis. A diagnosis of food hypersensitivity in a newborn is obtained by examining the responses to food elimination and performing sigmoidoscopy, rectal mucosal biopsy or even an oral challenge test. Extensively-hydrolyzed formula, rather than partiallyhydrolyzed formula, should be the first choice for the treatment of rectal bleeding caused by food hypersensitivity in a newborn.