Increased Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Young Children

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the patients with eosinophilic esophagitis that is diagnosed with an increasing frequency despite the still unknown etiology.Materials and Methods: The data of patients diagnosed as eosinophilic esophagitis between 2012 and 2019 in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed from the medical records.Results: A total of 21 patients (12 male) with eosinophilic esophagitis were included in this study. There was a significant increase in the number of patients in the last two years. The mean age at the onset of complaints was 3.42 + 2.47 years, and the mean age at diagnosis was 5.83 + 3.18 years. Vomiting, food impaction and food rejection were the most common presenting symptoms. The prick test was positive in 24% and the patch test was positive in 33% of the patients. Milk and egg were the most common positive food allergens in the patch test. Forty eight percent of the patients responded positively to proton pump inhibitor treatment. Forty eight percent of the patients had concomitant atopic disease, and 67% had a positive family history for atopic disease. Almost all of the cases were breastfed for more than six months and used antibiotics in the first year of life. Clinical remission was achieved in 8.33 + 5.61 (mean±SD) months. No side effects were observed related to topical steroids in any of the patients.Conclusion: Eosinophilic esophagitis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of every patient with esophageal complaints. Endoscopic evaluation should be performed without delay, especially in young children with vomiting.