Journal de néphrologie et thérapeutique

Is Undiluted Goat᾽s Milk Part of your Differential Diagnosis for Neonatal Metabolic Acidosis?

Abstract

Nawar Dakhallah*,Geneviève Maurice,Geneviève Tremblay,Christian Lachance,Geneviève Benoit

Background: The differential diagnosis of neonatal metabolic acidosis is broad, including, among other things, lactic acidosis, inborn errors of metabolism and renal failure, in addition to diarrhea and renal tubular acidosis. The type of milk given to the newborn is less frequently evoked as a potential cause. Case-diagnosis: We report the case of a 6-day-old baby with severe metabolic acidosis secondary to undiluted goat’s milk. We will review other reported cases and analyse the composition of goat’s milk. Conclusion: When fed with undiluted goat’s milk, neonates, with their immature acid-base regulation capacities, can develop metabolic acidosis secondary to an increased protein load and chloride content. Undiluted goat’s milk should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neonatal metabolic acidosis.