Causes Of Chronic Non-Infectious Diarrhoea In Infants Less Than 6 Months Of Age: Rarely Recognized Entities

Abstract

Background: Non-infectious causes of chronic diarrhoea are important and easily missed. The study was done with the objectives to identify different causes of chronic non-infectious diarrhoea in infants less than 6 months of age.

Methods: All patients less than 6 months of age presenting for the first time to a Paediatric Gastroenterology tertiary care centre with a history of chronic diarrhoea and negative stool cultures were enrolled over a period of 8 months. Demographical profile and various factors under observation were recorded in this observational study. Collected data was analysed using SPSS version 20. Chi square test was applied as a test of significance for any qualitative variable, p value (p<0.05) was taken as significant.

Results: Among 72 enrolled patients, female to male ratio was1.05:1. Age at onset of symptoms was between 15 days to 6 months. Aetiology found was Cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) in 58 (80.6%), Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia (PIL) 6 (8.3%), Cystic fibrosis (CF) 3 (4.2%), Immunodeficiency (SCID) 2 (2.8%), 1 (1.4%) for each Abetalipoproteinemia (ABL), Glucose galactose malabsorption (GGM) and Congenital chloride diarrhoea (CCD).

Conclusions: Among noninfectious causes of chronic diarrhoea in early infancy, cow's milk protein allergy is most common followed by Primary intestinal lymphangiectasia and Cystic fibrosis.

Keywords: Abetalipoproteinemia; Chronic Diarrhoea; Congenital Chloride Diarrhoea; Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy; Cystic Fibrosis; Glucose Galactose Malabsorption; Immunodeficiency; Primary Intestinal Lymphangiectasia.