yay medicine

pediatrics that is.

(WCM = whole cow's milk)

an important point is the phenotype of the excessive WCM milk drinker beyond infancy; these patients are often raised using the bottle or "sippy cup" as a pacifier which invariably leads to excessive milk consumptions as illustrated [in a previously discussed case]. the children are invariably overweight and are at risk for obesity later in life. they are often profoundly anemic and "waddle" into the office carrying a large container of milk and will become hysterical if the their "crutch" is taken away from them. the source of Fe deficiency is not blood loss, but a "starvation" of Fe due to the extremely low content and low bioavailability of Fe in WCM. the patients become satiated and do not consume alternative sources of calories such as iron fortified cereals or meats resulting in the phenomenon. it is important to note that this usually presents at 2-3 years of age and thus this patient's severe anemia may be due to the convergence of the occult blood loss of WCM of infancy and the second Fe starvation mechanism described [in the] relatively young child. the most important point is for clinicians to counsel families to prevent using milk as a pacifier and the need to obtain a diet and balanced calories from other food sources which have higher Fe content (Fe fortified cereals and meats).

i jes' think it's an interesting and astute observation. i like how it's worded, even if it was said by one of my least favorite people ever. i also like that the words "phenotype" and "sippy cup" are used in the same sentence.

yay pediatrics.