Menetrier's disease associated with formula protein allergy and small intestinal injury in an infant

Menetrier's disease in infancy is extremely rare, and its natural course has not been studied in detail. The present case report describes an infant whose initial diagnosis was formula protein allergy and who developed gastric outlet obstruction by 3 months of age. The diagnosis of Menetrier's disease was suggested by characteristic radiological, pathological, and functional abnormalities of the stomach. Small intestinal partial villous atrophy, malabsorption, and protein loss from both the stomach and the intestine were documented. Cytomegalovirus infection was excluded. There was no evidence for an immune deficiency. The described features and an unrelenting course suggest that infantile Menetrier's disease may be an entity distinct from the childhood and adult forms.