Things are looking green.. and filled with mucus

I know it's been a while since I've posted. We've been worried sick about ZenGirl, who thankfully seems oblivious to all the fussing. Even though PhilosopherMom has given up dairy, beef, soy, nuts, legumes, eggs and fish from her diet, we are still seeing blood in her stool. Saturday, it got pretty bad so we rushed down from the cottage to the Montreal Children's Hospital to get her a blood test, and hopefully some helpful advice. The bloodtests were reassuring, but no useful advice was forthcoming. After talking to a dietician who deals with this sort of thing, and doing some reading of our own, PhilosopherMom decided to go gluten-free on top of all the other restrictions. It's been 48h, $50 on two small bags of stuff from HealthTree and no blood since yesterday. I've done quite a bit of reading on MSPI, and the use of elimination diets. I'm going to get the links up as soon as possible.

Diagnosing Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI)

There is no hard and fast way to diagnose MSPI in an infant. Usually, a number of factors are looked at together. They include

Deterioration in behaviour
Green and mucuosy stool
Weight loss
Blood in stool

A doctor might order a blood test to measure the levels of eosinophiles, a type of cell that is present in high numbers during allergic-type events. In addition albumin levels can indicate whether or not the infant is having difficulty absorbing nutrients. This becomes a serious problem when the condition is left unchecked and the intestines become severely irritated.

Many physicians might wait for the more severe symptoms (weight loss, bleeding) before recommending that any action be taken. In my opinion, there is no reason not to try the simple elimination of dairy products for two weeks to see if anything changes.

In addition, if you think your child may be reacting to something you are eating, keep a food diary. Record in detail what you eat, and when. Also record your observations about your child. See if you can find any correlations.

Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI) - Update

Sheesh... it's been ten days since my last post. I've gotten pretty busy this week, but in baby-land things seem to have settled down somewhat. We haven't seen any blood in Zen Girl's diaper for about a week now, which is great. The thing is, PhilosopherMom had to restrict her diet even further, which sucks.

In addition to dairy, beef and soy, PhilosopherMom has given up eating legumes, eggs, fish and nuts. We've had some guidance from a dietitian at the Montreal Children's Hospital, which has helped.

Zen Girl's behaviour is not improving that much. She still can't be put down. I don't want to hear your suggestions, because I promise we tried them already.

At least she's not bleeding anymore.

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Are you watching?

Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI): The saga continue - Bloody Diaper/Soya Oil Edition

I've been meaning to talk about soybean oil, and now I have the perfect, if scary, excuse. Most moms who go on an elimination diet can are told that they can safely consume foods with soybean oil. This is because the irritation that comes from MSPI is due to protein, and refined food oils should not contain any protein. Similarly, most people who are allergic to nuts can eat nut oils, even though they are told not to (this is because anaphylactic attact is super scary).

PhilosopherMom has been doing the elimination diet for about 3 and a half weeks now, but still eating products made with soybean oil and soya lecithin (an emulsifier - also should be protein free). Zen Girl has been doing well, although the last few days have been less good and she's got a rash on her face. So we saw the pediatrician yesterday.

The pediatrician told us that the rash was likely due to the weather. Mom's bare skin sweats on the baby's bare skin in the heat and causes acne and rashes. No biggie. The doc also said, that if the baby seemed content, not to worry about the continued green stool.

We then proceed to weighing. The weight gain slowed dramatically, but we try and take a long-term view of these things. Right as I'm putting the diaper back on... the baby poops. The stool is bright green and so full of mucous that it looks like I blew my nose in the diaper. A closer inspection reveals blood. Now the doc is concerned. PhilosopherMom and I are freaking out.
Fortunately we are going to see an allergist today. The pediatrician suggests that mom eliminate all soy products from her diet, and see what happens.

In addition to all the other soy ingredients that are to be avoided, we now add soyabean oil (soy oil, soybean oil) and soy lecithin.

I'll let you know what the allergist says.

Milk Soy Protein Intolerance (MSPI): It's NOT Lactose Intolerance

Most people who have kids with MSPI will already know this, but many don't get the difference. MSPI is related to the protein in dairy, beef and soy. Lactose is a sugar. Lactose intolerance arises when a person's body cannot produce lactase, the enzyme required to metabolize lactose. Lactose intolerance presents itself later in life, generally in adulthood. Lactose is found in large quantities in human breast milk. Infants are never (or almost never) lactose intolerant, as this would be fatal.