The Relationship between Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Allergic Proctocolitis in 1-6-Month-Old Infants

Background: A number of researches have discussed the overlap of symptoms or the simultaneous occurrence of allergic proctocolitis due to consuming cow's milk allergy and gastroesophageal reflux in infants. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease and allergic proctocolitis (eosinophilic) in one- to six- month-old infants. Methods: This case-control study was performed on one- to six-month-old infants referred to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Clinic for whom gastroesophageal reflux disease was diagnosed as the case group (n=95); and the same number of age-matched infants without gastrointestinal problems referred for periodic care were included as the controls. (n = 95). The diagnosis of allergic proctocolitis was made for subjects whose WBC and RBC were found to be higher than the normal range in their stool samples. Results: The prevalence of allergic proctocolitis in the two groups with and without reflux was 36.8% and 5.3%, respectively, indicating a significant difference (P < 0.001). According to the multiple logistic regression model, the chance of developing allergic proctocolitis in the case group with gastroesophageal reflux was 12.2 times higher than the control group (OR = 12.2, P< 0.001). Boys were also 2.6 times more likely to be affected by proctocolitis than girls (OR = 2.6, P = 0.025). Conclusion: Developing gastroesophageal reflux, especially in boys, will be associated with an increased risk of developing allergic proctocolitis