title: [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.
authors.affiliation: Centre de Pédiatrie-Edmond-Lesné, Service du Pr. G. Lasfargues, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Brunod
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Baudon
mesh_terms: D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014839:Vomiting / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy
vernacular_title: Mérycismes graves du nourrisson.