Hazards of overconcentrated milk formula. Hyperosmolality, disseminated intravascular coagulation and gangrene
C. A. Abrams, L. L. Phillips, C. Berkowitz, P. R. Blackett and C. J. Priebe
Severe hypertonic dehydration with hyperglycemia developed in a 7-week-old
infant girl after she was fed an overconcentrated milk formula for five
days. Renal failure,disseminated intravascular coagulation, gangrene of
the legs, and coma were added complications. Intravenous rehydration,
peritoneal dialysis, and heparin administration corrected the metabolic and
coagulation derangements, and renal function returned to normal. Bilateral
below-the-knee amputations were performed and the child subsequently
learned to walk with artificial limbs. The dangers of overconcentrated
formulas in infant feeding should be widely publicized through warnings
printed on all commercial milk preparations.
