Oral Proton Pump Inhibitor for Treatment of Congenital Chloride Diarrhea

Congenital chloride diarrhea (CCD) is a rare autosomal recessive disease, which is characterized by electrolyte absorption defect due to impaired function of the Cl-/ HCO3exchanger in the ileum and the colon. Its main features are profuse watery diarrhea, high fecal chloride concentration, and failure to thrive. Profuse watery diarrhea characterized by a high concentration of chloride in stools results in hypochloremia, hyponatremia, and dehydration with metabolic alkalosis. Early detection and therapeutic intervention can prevent life-threatening symptoms of CCD and growth failure. Recently, several therapies, such as proton pump inhibitors and butyrate, have been suggested for amelioration of diarrhea. Here, we report a case of CCD in a preterm male infant who was successfully treated with an oral proton pump inhibitor.