Allergy Asthma Respir Dis.  2022 Oct;10(4):215-218. 10.4168/aard.2022.10.4.215.

A case of cow’s milk-induced eosinophilic enterocolitis masquerading as necrotizing enterocolitis in a preterm infant with extremely low birth weight

• Lee SY
• Kim MJ
• Jung JA
• Rha SH
• Jo CK

• KMID: 2534609
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4168/aard.2022.10.4.215

Abstract

Food allergy is a rare form of feeding intolerance in preterm infants, with symptoms similar to necrotizing enterocolitis. We report a case of clinically diagnosed cow’s milk-induced eosinophilic enterocolitis in an infant with extremely low birth weight. The patient was born at 24 weeks and 1 day gestation, weighing 610 g, had repeated episodes of gastrointestinal symptoms after feeding, and was placed on nil per os. On day 67, the eosinophil count increased suddenly (7,852.8/mL), and the formula was changed to amino acid-based (Neocate). Gradually, the eosinophil count returned to normal. Ileostomy was performed and full enteral feeding was achieved with Neocate. Intraoperatively, the intestine was nonnecrotic and viable; the biopsy report showed massive mucosal eosinophilic infiltration. The patient was diagnosed with cow’s milk-induced eosinophilic enterocolitis.

Keyword

Eosinophilia; Food allergy; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Premature infant