[Severe rumination in infants].

Abstract

Rumination or merycism is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Six boys, aged 5 to 14 months, were hospitalized for growth retardation (-2 to -4 SD) and vomiting. In 5 of 6, mothers noticed the vomiting but not rumination. Diagnosis was based on clinical observation only. No significant abnormalities were found by other investigations. A short nutritional rehabilitation followed by mothering performed by the nurses resulted in a weight gain of 1 to 2.3 kg over the next 15 to 90 days. Rumination results from an affective deficiency of the infant and his mother as well. It appears as a destructive autoerotic reaction whose basis is depressive. Characteristic of the infant's recovering stage is a holding response when taken in the arms. However, various psychological perturbations persist after treatment.