Clinical analysis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in two children and review of literatur e / 临床儿科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the clinical-pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of eosinophilic gastro-enteritis in children. Methods The data of clinical manifestation, laboratory examination, endoscopy, biopsy, management and prognosis from 2 pediatric patients with eosinophilic gastroenteritis were retrospectively analyzed. Related articles were reviewed. Results The age of two patients was 13 and 14 years old. Case 1 was male and had an onset with acute pancreatitis. Case 2 was female with a history of food allergy and had an onset with unexplained ascites. Both patients presented with signiifcantly increased peripheral eosinophil count (45.9%-64.8%) and serum IgE (246-393 IU/ml). Bone marrow cytology showed increased proportion of eosinophils in both patients. Gastroscopy was performed in case 1 while gastroscopy and colonoscopy endoscopy were performed in Case 2 and the results indicated eosinophilic inifltration in duodenum. Duodenal mucosa biopsy showed eosinophilic inifltration in case 1 while gastrointestinal pathology biopsy showed multiple mucosal eosinophil inifltration in case 2. After the therapy of food avoidance, steroid and anti-allergic drugs, both patients had complete remission 1 week later. Meanwhile the peripheral eosinophil count was decreased to normal. Case 1 was followed up for 24 months, and case 2 was followed up for 2 months. Both patients showed no evidence of relapse. Conclusions The clinical manifestation and endoscopic examination of eosinophilic gastroenteritis in children are protean and lack of speciifcity. Unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms accompanied with eosinophilia may suggest the possibility of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. Eosinophilic inifltration in ascites and gastrointestinal mucosa strongly indicate the di-agnosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis. After exclusion of other possible diseases, the deifnite diagnosis can be made.