Clinical characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis in children / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in children.Methods:Clinical data of children with EoE who were hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology, Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 18 children with EoE were included in the study, including 13 males and 5 females, with the age of 11.96 (4.96, 12.81) years.Vomiting was more common in preschool children (4/5), while abdominal pain was the main symptom in school-age and adolescent children (11/13). There were 22.22% (4/18) of the children with EoE had an increased white blood cell count, and 33.33%(6/18) had an increased eosinophil count.Allergic history in the first-degree relatives was detected in 55.56%(10/18) of the children with EoE.Total immunoglobulin E (IgE) level was elevated in 68.75% (11/16) of the children.Food-specific IgE was positive in 66.67% (12/18) of the children with EoE.Milk, eggs, and wheat were the most common allergens.Esophageal mucosal hyperemia and erythema, rough, erosion, linear ulcers, annular changes, furrow or wrinkled paper changes, granular changes, polypoid or relaxation of the cardia were seen under endoscopy, whereas 27.78% (5/18) of the children showed normal esophageal mucosa.The histopathology showed chronic inflammation of the esophagus and increased eosinophil count.Three patients were lost of follow-up, and the remaining 15 were followed up for 6-24 months.All children with EoE were treated with the elimination diet.Nine children treated with glucocorticoids experienced clinical remission in a short period of time, involving 1 case with recurrence after withdrawal and being effectively treated by hormone therapy, and 2 cases of repeated digestive system symptoms or increased eosinophil count after withdrawal and being effectively relieved by the elimination diet.Conclusions:EoE is more common in elderly children and boys.Vomiting is the main symptom in pre-school aged children, whereas abdominal pain is the main symptom in school-aged children and adolescents.Increased peripheral white blood cell count and eosinophil count can be detected in some cases, and most of them are positive for food allergen tests.Gastrointestinal endoscopy and histopathology are important in the diagnosis of EoE.Elimination diet may be effective in some patients.Glucocorticoids are of great significance in the treatment of EoE, but a few children are steroid-dependent.