PEDIATRICS Vol. 88 No. 4 October 1991, pp. 810-813
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Persistent Eosinophilia in an Infant With Probable Intrauterine Exposure to l-Tryptophan-containing Supplements

DOUGLAS L. HATCH MD, MPH1, JUAN E. GARONA MD1, LYNN R. GOLDMAN MD, MPH1, and KIRSTEN O. WALLER MD, MPH1

1 The Division of Field Services, Epidemiology Program Office, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, The Department of Pediatrics, Sunnyvale Medical Clinic, Sunnyvale, California, The Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology Branch, California Department of Health Services, Emeryville, California

Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS), a previously undescribed illness, occurs mainly in adults and is characterized by severe myalgias and an absolute eosinophil count (AEC) >1000 cells/mm3.1 This syndrome has been associated with the consumption of capsules and tablets containing 1-tryptophan (LT), an essential amino acid. As of August 1990, 1536 cases of EMS and at least 27 EMS-associated deaths have been reported in the United States, with most cases occurring among middleaged women.1,2 We report on an infant who had eosinophilia at birth, following maternal consumption of supplemental LT for insomnia and hyperemesis gravidarum during the fourth through ninth months of pregnancy.

Submitted on August 27, 1990
Accepted on December 4, 1990