Dear Lactnetters,
    I had a call from a mom late yesterday looking for resources or an
explanation for recent "allergic" reactions in her 8 month old son.  I have
her permission to post.  I have most of the facts, but am missing all the
info but here goes:

Healthy first-born, BW 10.8 lbs
Mom exclusively BF (with some brief formula feeds) to 3 mos when rice cereal
added d/t "keeping up" with appetite
Con't Bfing with no problems

    Two months ago (6 m o) he became "violently ill" about 1 hour after a
BFing and turned cold, followed by profuse vomiting, diarrhea and
hospitalization for IV fluid
rehydration.
    Since that time he has had 4 more episodes requiring admission and
hospitalization.  Each time he has vomiting, developed diarrhea and
"shock"-like reactions.
    She has consulted with area neurologist, GI, allergist and Immunologist.
Apparently, they have tested for metabolic diseases, GI series, EEGs etc.
    They are stumped to the etiology of his reactions.  The following
explanations have been suggested:
"Anaphylactic" response to a food allergen
Reaction to something in her breastmilk
Immunological dysfunction
    Here is one of the main reasons she is perplexed and concerned (other
than the fact that the episodes are random and do not occur with any rhyme or
reason to feeding time and she and her husband are afraid to leave him for a
second!) is that she is PREGNANT now.
    She thinks the conception occurred near the time of the first reaction
Feb 15.  She wonders is there any obscure association between the pregnancy
and her son's attacks.  I have worked with lots of tandem nursing couples and
never heard of anything.  Could there be a component in the "pregnant" milk
that could trigger such an episode??
    Meanwhile, she has been told to wean.  She did so 72 hours ago.  She had
hoped to continue to nurse for several more months.  She is pumping with a
Lactina and getting "regular" milk.  Baby is on a diet of "orange" foods
(squash, sweet potatoes, carrots) and she he is turning orange!  At no time
was there a suggestion of an elimination diet for her and she reports that
she has not changed her diet at anytime since his birth.  No history of
allergy in her family.
   Of course, the male docs do not see a big deal with the weaning or why she
would be nursing if pregnant again anyway!  And she is disappointed but
accepting  with it but is curious if it is "her milk" that is responsible.
   BTW, he is 25 lbs and off the charts as per mom.  I assume there is
limited blood in stools........but the unofficial diagnosis is "Food induced
enterocolitis of infancy"...they have been referred "up North", as we say
here, to a leading hospital for a consultation with an allergist/immunolgist.
 They are planning a "food challenge" test with an IV in place in case he
reacts.  Mom has been led to believe they have better capabilities there than
locally to administrate this.  Baby is on Alimentum now and tolerating it
well.  He was discharged from hospital yesterday here.
    Mom realizes he may have weaned soon anyway with pregnancy but is
concerned if BFing is the cause.  Also, how prudent is it for her to
double-pump at this stage of her pregnancy??  She is freezing her milk on the
off-chance she can use it or put him to breast later.
    I know a lot of you have dealt with food allergies etc and would
appreciate some input on her behalf.  The pregnancy issue compounds this
situation.  She was not at my hospital, nor is a client, other than she
rented a pump form us early on.  But she is justifiably upset and concerned
and I want to give her some resources if possible.  Sorry so long.

TIA,
Jan Ellen Brown RDH, IBCLC
Charlotte, NC

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