Emerging triggers of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome: Lessons from a pediatric cohort of 74 children in the United States

Background: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is an infrequent non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal allergic disorder that occurs mostly in infants and young children. FPIES food triggers vary among different geographic locations, and the condition is still underdiagnosed and underrecognized.

Objective: To identify the triggers, characteristics, and management of FPIES in a pediatric US population of 74 children presenting to a tertiary center during a 3-year period.

Methods: We performed a retrospective electronic record review of all pediatric patients with a diagnosis of FPIES who presented to Texas Children's Hospital emergency centers and clinics.

Results: Most of our patients were white, and 65% had a positive family history of atopy. The median age at the first FPIES episode was 5 months (interquartile range, 4-6 months), and the median age at diagnosis was 11 months (interquartile range, 7-16 months). Grains (88%), cow's milk (49%), and vegetables (43%) were the most common food triggers in our cohort. Of the fruits, banana (24%) and avocado (16%) were predominantly reported. More than half of our patients experienced FPIES to multiple food triggers.

Conclusion: In our cohort, rice (53%) was the most common individual food trigger, surpassing cow's milk and soybean, previously reported as the most prevalent FPIES triggers in the United States. Banana (24%) and avocado (16%) rates were also much higher than in other studied populations, likely a reflection of different dietary and weaning habits in our area. Time from disease presentation to diagnosis was delayed, potentially because of difficulties in disease recognition. We noted a significant percentage of multiple-food FPIES in contrast to other populations.