Introduction:

Food protein-induced enterocolitis is a non-immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy with acute manifestations like recurrent vomiting, dehydration, and shock. It is a rare pathology that requires a high index of suspicion. Pseudo-Bartter syndrome (metabolic alkalosis, hypokalemia and hypochloremia in the absence of tubulopathy) is an infrequent complication of cystic fibrosis.

Case report:

A 5-month-old boy with recurrent vomiting, dehydration, and shock; who had been breastfed and had consumed baby formula three hours prior to the onset of symptoms. Laboratory tests confirmed hyponatremia, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, and hypokalemia in absence of tubulopathy; two iontophoresis showed altered results, stool elastase was decreased, and genetic sequencing confirmed the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis. The provocation test confirmed food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome.

Conclusion:

Recurrent vomiting and dehydration after the intake of milk formula must lead to suspicion of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome. If pseudo-Bartter syndrome is found, cystic fibrosis must be ruled out.

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