Dear Pamela,


It is obvious that this baby is seriously ill. Since breastmilk is the normal nutrition for babies and is usually digested better than ABM, I would not think that formula (average) make things better, I would think it could make things worse. In some cases special ABM might be needed but since the baby has grown this much there probably is not galactosemia or some other severe digestion / metabolic syndrome.

I noticed that the baby has soft stools with undigested food. Has they checked the elastase amount in baby’s stools? Non digested food with anaemia (and problems with iron supplement, usually babies can take it and it works with premies etc.) could have connection with digestive enzymes.

I would strongly advice to get another medical opinion. Was the baby full term? Small full term baby with anaemia and digestive problems and developmental delay need a good medical team to figure out what is going on.

I hope the baby gets proper diagnose and treatment quickly.

(My own Daughter (born 1,38 kg, 37+3) has severe lack of digestive enzymes. The breastmilk was the only food that was digested better until the doctors took the stool tests and found out the reason for low weight gain and undigested food in her stools. Pancreatic enzymes was started and digestion got better. She developed normally and is a bright young lady with severe immune system  disorder)

Warmly,
Pia Ruohotie, RN, IBCLC
From Helsinki, Finland


> ------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Sun, 20 Jul 2014 19:04:46 +0100
> From:    Pamela Morrison <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Baby with anaemia and developmental delay
> 
> Dear all
> 
> I'm posting for a colleague who has permission to ask for your 
> collective wisdom about a client she has been working with for over a year.
> 
> Breastfed second baby, now 14 months old.  Has had low weight gain 
> more or less since birth, (born at 2.5 kg, was only 2.8 kg at 6 weeks 
> when she first consulted my colleague. The baby now weighs ~7.5 
> kg.  Has always had low muscle tone and anaemia, and now assessed as 
> having the mental and physical development of a 6 month old.  Her 
> head circumference is below 0.4th centile.
> 
> The parents have been told there is a genetic copy number deletion 
> but, pending more bloodwork, have not been given specific 
> information.  Mother herself is small but has never suffered from anaemia.
> 
> As well as breastfeeding, baby eats other foods well, taking a wide 
> variety of foods including red meat, chicken, cereals, veg, salads, 
> greens, tomatoes, fruit.   Had iron supplements which make her vomit. 
> Stools are soft but contain large amounts of undigested food.
> 
> Consultant wants mother to stop breastfeeding and replace breastmilk 
> with formula because of iron fortification. Tells mother that anaemia 
> can cause brain development issues and made her feel extremely 
> guilty.   The baby has another prescription for more iron supplements 
> and referral to a developmental specialist.
> 
> Has anyone heard of a syndrome or medical condition which would 
> include these symptoms.  Mother is very committed to breastfeeding 
> and, of course, would like to continue.  She will probably seek 
> another medical opinion, but seeks more info first.
> 
> Thanks if you can help.
> 
> Pamela Morrison IBCLC
> Rustington, England

             ***********************************************

Archives: http://community.lsoft.com/archives/LACTNET.html
To reach list owners: [log in to unmask]
Mail all list management commands to: [log in to unmask]
COMMANDS:
1. To temporarily stop your subscription write in the body of an email: set lactnet nomail
2. To start it again: set lactnet mail
3. To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet
4. To get a comprehensive list of rules and directions: get lactnet welcome