Eosinophilic esophagitis in children

Eosinophilic esophagitis is a rare form of food allergy and chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the esophageal mucosa without involving other parts of the gastrointestinal system. Its incidence is thought to be between 1-2.7/10.000 per year and has been recognized increasingly over the last decade. Food and aero-allergens is thought to be responsible for its etiology. The symptoms depend on age, but the most characterictic complaints are those of gastroesophageal reflux in children. The absolute diagnosis of eosinophilic esophagitis is by histopathological examination. Patients should be investigated for atopic disorders due to frequent comorbidities with other allergic disorders. Nowadays, dietary management and topical corticosteroid regimen are the treatment of the disease. Remission is rare and the single complication is esophageal stricture. A teamwork consisting of an allergist, gastroenterologist and dietician is required for the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of disease.