Dietary Protein Induced Enteropathy / Enterocolitis
An
enteropathy identifies a disease of the intestine. A
protein induced
enteropathy is a condition in which there is a loss of protein from the intestine, resulting in the inability for the organism to absorb proteins.
An
enterocolitis also called coloenteritis, is the combined inflammation of the small intestine, the bowel, an enteritis, the large intestine and the
colon.
The symptoms seen in infants with dietary protein enterocolitis are very similar but more severe than those observed in protein enteropathy. Both disorders are characterized by protracted diarrhea and vomiting resulting in malabsorption and failure to thrive.
The disorders are caused by an immune response most commonly related to cow's milk protein, but soy, cereal grains and additional foods have been implicated. Onset of these symptoms typically occurs during infancy.
Diagnosis is based in the combined findings from endoscopy/ biopsy, allergen elimination and challenge.
Treatment is based on antigen elimination using either an hydrolysed formula or an amino acid-based formula.
Most infants outgrow their allergies by 2 or 3 years of age, but some maintain hypersensitivity into childhood.
The amino acid-based treatment…