I am sure we do check for blood in stools more often.

But I see an awful lot of visible (bright red) blood in babies' stools.
Probably 3-4 per month.  Some as young as 2-3 weeks. I normally do not test
for microscopic blood unless I see suspicious looking (mucous, watery, often
green) stools with accompanying symptoms (reflux, screaming, eczema) and a
parent is needing a bit more objective evidence that a dietary change is
called for.

To answer Nikki's question, yes, some of these babies are delivered via
C-sec, but certainly not all.  Often mom was treated for Group B strep, but
sometimes cannot identify any antibiotic use for months prior to delivery.
Sometimes formula has been given, other times not. I DO think the theory of
failing to be colonized with appropriate vaginal bacteria during the birth
process is a very attractive one.  If the "friendly" bacteria are not there
to modulate the immune system, it may be more likely (if the genetic
predisposition is there) to react negatively to foreign proteins.

As I say every day, there is a lot we still do not know.


Kathy Leeper, MD, IBCLC
Medical Director, MilkWorks

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