Return to Contents in this Issue

Case Report

 

Casein Hydrolysate Formula-Induced Liver Dysfunction in a Neonate With Non-Immunoglobulin E-Mediated Cowʼs Milk Allergy

 

K Yada,1 K Yoshida,1 Y Sakurai,1 M Kimura,2 H Yasuhara,3 I Tanaka,1 A Yoshioka1

1Department of Pediatrics, Nara Medical University School of Medicine, Kashihara, Japan
2Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Shizuoka Children’s Hospital, Shizuoka, Japan
3Division of Neonatal Intensive Care, Perinatal Medical Center, Nara Medical University Hospital, Kashihara, Japan

J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2008; Vol. 18(1): 67-70

 

 Abstract


A 10-day-old male neonate was admitted with bilious vomiting and gross hematochezia. Peripheral eosinophilia, delayed positive skin prick test to artifi cial milk, and elevated eosinophil cationic protein levels suggested cow’s milk allergy. Fluid infusion with prohibition of oral intake improved the digestive symptoms. Breast-feeding was resumed on hospital day 3 and only casein hydrolysate formula was fed from day 7 onward. Nevertheless, eosinophilia and elevated transaminase levels developed on day 14. Liver dysfunction associated with casein hydrolysate formula was suspected and the infant was transferred to soy formula. Eosinophil counts decreased and transaminase levels were normalized on day 19. A cow’s milk protein-specifi c lymphocyte proliferation test was positive for -casein, -lactoglobulin, and bovine serum albumin, indicating sensitization of T cells to cow’s milk proteins. These observations suggest that careful attention should be paid to liver dysfunction in non-immunoglobulin E-mediated cow’s milk allergy, even when hypoallergenic formula is used.

Key works: Casein hydrolysate formula. Liver dysfunction. Neonate. Milk allergy.