New developments in patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases presented at the CEGIR/TIGERS Symposium at the 2018 American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Meeting.

The Consortium of Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases and the International Gastrointestinal Eosinophil Researchers organized a day-long symposium at the recent 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, which was coupled for the first time with the World Allergy Organization meeting to create an international platform. The symposium featured experts in many facets of eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, including allergy, immunology, gastroenterology, pathology, and nutrition, and was a well-attended event. The basic science, genetics, cellular immunology, and clinical features of the diseases, with a focus on epithelial, eosinophil, and mast cell responses, as well as current and emerging treatment options, were reviewed. Here we briefly review some of the highlights of the material presented at the meeting.

A descriptive study of complications of gastrostomy tubes in children.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine the number and types of complications experienced by children with gastrostomy tubes. METHODS: This is a prospective study of children with gastrostomy tube complications. Enrollment occurred on the first 24 months of the study. Data were collected for 4 years, beginning at the enrollment of the first participant. Demographic data and information on infections, granulation tissue formation, and major complications were recorded. RESULTS: Infections occurred in 37% of patients, with most experiencing a single infection that occurred within the first 15 days after tube placement. Granulation tissue developed in 68% of patients, with 17% experiencing recurrent granulation tissue despite treatment. There was no difference in infection rates or granulation tissue formation between subgroups based on gender, ethnicity, or parents' education level. Major complications occurred in 4% of the patients. CONCLUSION: Complications of infection and granulation tissue occur frequently and likely are a cause of stress and increased burden of care for these children and families. Improved strategies for care are needed.