Infant Hospitalized in Life-Threatening Condition Identified as Having Severe Cow's Milk Protein Allergy

A 21-day-old infant was rushed to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital in critical condition, suffering from severe dehydration, vomiting, and diarrhea. The infant's condition deteriorated rapidly, with doctors noting he was pale, lethargic, and close to collapse. The head of the emergency room, Dr. David Rechtman, described the baby as "without color in his face, ashen, and without energy," adding that "he was rolling his eyes and at any moment was about to collapse."

Medical staff diagnosed the infant with an acute sensitivity to cow's milk protein, a condition that had not been previously identified by his parents or the medical team. This allergy caused the baby to lose over 20% of his body weight and develop severe metabolic acidosis due to fluid and bicarbonate loss from vomiting and diarrhea.

Dr. Rechtman stated that while milk protein intolerance is known in pediatrics, this case was "extremely severe and required immediate response." He emphasized that the infant was in "real mortal danger" due to the extreme reaction.

Following stabilization with fluid resuscitation, the infant was placed on a specialized formula free of cow's milk protein. His parents received nutritional counseling and guidance. The infant was treated in the pediatric intensive care unit and has since been released. Dr. Rechtman credited the parents' prompt action in bringing the infant to the emergency room for urgent examination as critical to saving his life, noting that "every moment was significant in saving his life."