Food Protein Induced Proctocolitis: A Benign Condition with an Obscure Immunologic Mechanism

Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2017;17(1):32-37. doi: 10.2174/1871530316666170331165356.

Abstract

Food protein-induced proctocolitis (FPIP) is the most common colonic manifestation of food allergy in infants, accounting for up to 60% of exclusively breast-fed children. The causative foods derived from the mother's diet, which are then excreted in her milk. The suggested risk factors for the development of FPIP are an immature immune system, altered intestinal permeability and other factors that activate local immune function, such as genetic susceptibility in combination with particularly sensitizing foods. FPIP is an enhanced immune responsiveness of some infants to very small amounts of food antigens, inducing an inflammatory mucosal response, mediated by T cells.

Keywords: Breast feeding; allergic proctocolitis; food allergy; immunologic response; infants; intolerance.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Breast Feeding / adverse effects
  • Food Hypersensitivity / complications*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / immunology*
  • Gastrointestinal Tract / immunology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / complications
  • Milk Hypersensitivity / immunology
  • Milk Proteins / adverse effects
  • Milk Proteins / immunology*
  • Proctocolitis / etiology*
  • Proctocolitis / immunology*

Substances

  • Milk Proteins