Eosinophilic esophagitis: clinical presentation in children

Chris A Liacouras; Jonathan Spergel; Laura M Gober

doi:10.1016/j.gtc.2014.02.012

Eosinophilic esophagitis: clinical presentation in children

Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 2014 Jun;43(2):219-29. doi: 10.1016/j.gtc.2014.02.012.

Authors

Chris A Liacouras¹, Jonathan Spergel², Laura M Gober³

Affiliations

¹ Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. Electronic address: liacouras@email.chop.edu.
² Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
³ Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Infectious Diseases, Center for Pediatric Eosinophilic Disorders, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, 3401 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.

PMID: 24813511
DOI: 10.1016/j.gtc.2014.02.012

Abstract

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is increasing in western nations. Symptoms in infants and young children include feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, and gastroesophageal reflux. School-aged children may present with vomiting, abdominal pain, and regurgitation; adolescents and adults with dysphagia and food impaction. Delayed diagnosis increases risk of stricture formation. Children with untreated EoE have tissue changes resembling airway remodeling. Endoscopy does not always correlate. Management centers on food elimination. Approaches include skin prick and patch testing, removal of foods, or an amino acid formula diet. Long-term elimination diets can produce nutritional deficiencies and have poor adherence.

Keywords: Children; EoE; Eosinophil; Esophagitis; Pediatric.

MeSH terms

Child
Eosinophilic Esophagitis / diagnosis*
Eosinophilic Esophagitis / etiology
Humans