The new parents are stunned at the state of their newborn's soiled diaper-it is blue! What might be the cause of the odd diaper stain?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A blue diaper stain is a classic sign of tryptophan malabsorption syndrome, where tryptophan is not adequately absorbed in the small intestine and instead gets converted into indican, a blue pigment that appears in urine and feces. This condition is also known as "blue diaper syndrome." ADH deficiency (A) can result in excess urine output and dehydration, but it would not cause a blue diaper stain. A buildup of uric acid (C) can cause gout, kidney stones, and other health problems, but it would not result in a blue diaper stain. E. coli poisoning (D) can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, but it would not cause a blue diaper stain.

The New Parents Are Stunned at the State of Their