About Eosinophilic Oesophagitis
Despite its perhaps unfamiliar title, Eosinophilic Oesophagitis is actually quite prevalent, affecting 1 in 1000 people. A chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the oesophagus, EoE can produce symptoms including reflux, trouble swallowing, choking or gagging, food regurgitation, and stomach pain. For a parent of a child with EoE it can be worrying as it often results in feeding difficulties. For anyone with the condition, if left untreated it can lead to scarring of the oesophagus and require eventual hospitalization to remove food blockages. In many infants diagnosed with the disease however, food elimination can be used to pinpoint the allergen trigger to resolve within a few years.
Examination and Diagnosis
Dr McIntyre will thoroughly examine your child’s symptoms and their medical history but it is important to note that symptoms alone are not enough to reliably diagnose the condition. Confirmation by endoscopy and biopsies is required, followed by treatment, often in conjunction with a paediatric dietitian or allergy specialist.
Treatment
In some infants, EoE may resolve over time, whereas in older children treatment is generally always required to minimise symptoms.
Allergen elimination diets and allergy testing are commonly used to establish the child’s trigger allergy. These must be conducted in combination with follow up endoscopies and repeat biopsies to monitor response to treatment. In some instances, anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed to ease flare up of symptoms. If the child’s oesophagus is very narrow, a procedure known as “dilation” may also be used to provide temporary relief by widening the narrowed oesophagus to allow food to pass through more easily. If left untreated, the risk to children suffering from EoE is a build-up of scar tissue which can further impact food passage.