Increased incidence of lactobezoars in low birth weight infants
R. L. Schreiner, M. S. Brady, E. A. Franken, D. C. Stevens, J. A. Lemons and E. L. Gresham
Fifteen low birth weight infants had their conditions complicated by the
formation of a lactobezoar. The mean gestational age was 30.3 weeks; mean
birth weight was 1,184 g, and the mean age at the time of diagnosis was
11.8 days. Twelve of the infants were receiving an 80 kcal/dL-formula and
one infant, a 40 kcal/dL-formula designed for the premature infant.
Symptoms included abdominal distension, emesis or increased gastric
residual, diarrhea, hematest-positive stools, abdominal mass, and gastric
perforation.
