Drug-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome in Children

Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Apr 26;24(9):7880. doi: 10.3390/ijms24097880.

Abstract

Drug-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (DIES) is a drug-induced hypersensitivity reaction non-IgE mediated involving the gastrointestinal system that occurs 2 to 4 h after drug administration. Antibiotics, specifically amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate, represent the most frequent drugs involved. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, pallor, lethargy, and dehydration, which can be severe and result in hypovolemic shock. The main laboratory finding is neutrophilic leukocytosis. To the best of our knowledge, 12 cases of DIES (9 children-onset and 3 adult-onset cases) were described in the literature. DIES is a rare clinically well-described allergic disease; however, the pathogenetic mechanism is still unclear. It requires to be recognized early and correctly treated by physicians.

Keywords: DIES; FPIES; children; drug-induced enterocolitis syndrome; food-induced enterocolitis syndrome; non-IgE-mediated allergy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amoxicillin
  • Child
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Drug Hypersensitivity*
  • Enterocolitis* / chemically induced
  • Enterocolitis* / diagnosis
  • Enterocolitis* / drug therapy
  • Food Hypersensitivity* / therapy
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Rare Diseases
  • Syndrome
  • Vomiting

Substances

  • Amoxicillin
  • Dietary Proteins

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.