The Association of Persistent Fecal White Blood Cell Excretion with Impaired Weight Gain and Food Allergy Among Children with Allergic Proctocolitis

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE: In children affected by allergic proctocolitis, impaired weight gain and developmental failure to thrive can be a prominent manifestation. However, it remains unclear whether the association between White Blood Cell (WBC) excretion in these patients and the occurrence of food allergies is associated with subsequent impaired weight gain after the start of complementary feeding. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 85 children with allergic proctocolitis were followed from birth to 1 year of age regarding continued WBC excretion, weight gain, and the presence or absence of allergic symptoms. Also, the weight gain of children was examined and compared between those with continued leukocyte excretion and those without. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software version 26. RESULTS: The age distribution of infants in the two groups with and without persistent WBC excretion did not differ significantly (p =0.35). However, the gender distribution was significantly different, with persistent excretion higher in boys (p =0.023). Examination of standardized weight changes showed no significant difference between the two groups, with and without persistent WBC excretion (p >0.05). DISCUSSION: Persistent leukocyte excretion did not affect weight gain, consistent with reports that inflammatory stool markers have limited predictive value in allergic proctocolitis. Future studies with larger samples and refined inflammatory biomarkers are needed to clarify the clinical significance and potential long-term allergic implications of persistent intestinal inflammation. CONCLUSION: Persistent WBC excretion in children with allergic proctocolitis was observed in some of the patients, but was not associated with impaired weight gain during the first year of life.