Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome in children: what's known? What's new?

Summary: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is an under-recognized and frequently misdiagnosed non-IgE mediated food allergy syndrome. Affected infants show gastrointestinal symptoms few hours after ingestion of the incriminating food. Pathophysiology of FPIES has not yet been clearly defined and needs further characterization. The common allergy tests are not helpful for this disorder and tests for food specific IgE are usually negative. A diagnostic oral food challenge (OFC) is the method to confirm the diagnosis of FPIES. This review summarizes what is known about epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical characteristics and diagnosis and what's new about therapeutic options of FPIES.