BACKGROUND: Isolated rectal bleeding (IRB) in healthy asymptomatic infants is benign, albeit pathogenesis remains obscure. We aimed to determine the risk factors of infants with IRB. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case-control study in a tertiary neonatal unit. RESULTS: Amongst 71 cases and 281 controls, infants with IRB received antibiotics in 55% (controls 35%, p=0.002), whereas 35% had not received breast milk (controls 20%, p=0.008). All infants recovered well. Allergic proctocolitis was diagnosed in 35%, whereas haemorrhagic colitis in 65%. In univariate analysis, IRB was associated with antibiotic administration and the lack of breastfeeding. After adjusting for gestation and birth weight, IRB was significantly associated with antibiotic administration (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.26-3.73, p=0.005), and the lack of breastfeeding (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.04-3.55, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS: IRB is attributed to benign conditions. Antibiotic administration and the lack of breastfeeding are associated with IRB. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
BACKGROUND: Isolated rectal bleeding (IRB) in healthy asymptomatic infants is benign, albeit pathogenesis remains obscure. We aimed to determine the risk factors of infants with IRB. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case-control study in a tertiary neonatal unit. RESULTS: Amongst 71 cases and 281 controls, infants with IRB received antibiotics in 55% (controls 35%, p=0.002), whereas 35% had not received breast milk (controls 20%, p=0.008). All infants recovered well. Allergic proctocolitis was diagnosed in 35%, whereas haemorrhagic colitis in 65%. In univariate analysis, IRB was associated with antibiotic administration and the lack of breastfeeding. After adjusting for gestation and birth weight, IRB was significantly associated with antibiotic administration (OR 2.17, 95% CI 1.26-3.73, p=0.005), and the lack of breastfeeding (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.04-3.55, p=0.035). CONCLUSIONS:IRB is attributed to benign conditions. Antibiotic administration and the lack of breastfeeding are associated with IRB. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Authors: Marie Heyne-Pietschmann; Dirk Lehnick; Johannes Spalinger; Franziska Righini-Grunder; Michael Buettcher; Markus Lehner; Martin Stocker Journal: Antibiotics (Basel) Date: 2021-11-29