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What Causes Mucus In Stool While On Losec In An Infant?

Posted on Mon, 22 Aug 2016

Question: Hi,

I have a 10 week old who has been on elecare formula for over 2 weeks and also on losec for reflux, she still has an awful lots of mucus in her poo and still is not settled and does not feed well. Little unsure what to do now, her pead has pretty much told me to just deal with it.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide the details

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

Reflux and stool abnormality can be due to allergy to lactose or milk protein.
I would like to know
For how long these symptoms are there?
What feed she was getting after birth?
Is the current Elecare formula started directly or started with any other formula
and now shifted to Elecare?

Transient change in stool pattern and mild reflux is common in this age.
If this reflux or abnormal stool pattern persists then investigation like stool test should be done.Presence of reducing substance(unabsorbed lactose),occult blood in stool indicates lactose/milk protein intolerance. Elecare is very advanced hypoallergic formula and need to be given in babies who do not tolerate lactose or cow milk based formula. Losec contains acid reducing substance and helps in reflux if it is significant.

So I would request you to provide detail so that I better able to help you out.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (19 hours later)

Thank you for reply. She just started screaming at 4 weeks old, unable to sooth her and very unsettled. These symptoms still occur now. Tried breastfeeding, but my milk never came in, she was put on S26 Gold newborn at 2 days of age, at 4 weeks she was put on to lactose free formula which only lasted for4 days, she was then put on Allerpro, for 3 weeks, things still not improve. She was then put on Soy which lasted for 2 days due to her getting worse. Her pead then put her on Elecare and has been on that for just over 2 weeks. The poos originally were a bit runny but no blood or mucus were in it. Since all the changes they has been lots of mucus in every poo, including on the elecare. Hope this helps more.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I would like to continue with current formula

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for providing the details

After going through the history I found that the decision taken were appropriate.They have proceeded step wise.
Now I would like to continue with the current formula if baby is otherwise active,playful,accepting feeds well and gaining weight.
The baby's intestine needs time to adjust to new formula.
You may give some probiotics after consulting your pediatrician to maintain the gut's healthy flora.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (14 hours later)

Since writing this we have been admitted to hospital as she is refusing to feed, we are now currently feeding her via tube down her nose and her paediatrician has changed her formula to neocate. Other than refusing to feed she seems more settled on 2 feeds of the neocate. Is there anything this could be other than reflux and cows milk protein allergy.

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Some babies tolerate Neocate better

Detailed Answer:
Hi

It's really sad to know that your baby got admitted due to the feeding problem.
Both Neocate and Elecare are aminoacid based hypoallergic formula & nutritional content and values are almost same.Still few babies tolerate Neocate better than Elecare.
The intestine of baby may take some time to adjust with the formula.
Reflux,allergy to milk protein and intolerance to lactose or soy milk are the major causes of poor feed tolerance.
Other less common causes can be malabsorption of fat/protein.The diagnosis can be made with stool test and other investigations.
In case of persistent problem and poor weight gain these causes should also be ruled out.
I hope this helps.
I wish for your baby's speedy recovery.
Regards

Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar