Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome, from practice to theory

Expert Rev Clin Immunol. 2013 Aug;9(8):707-15. doi: 10.1586/1744666X.2013.814418.

Abstract

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is an allergic disease, probably non-IgE-mediated, with expression predominantly in the GI tract. The most characteristic symptom is repeated, debilitating vomiting. It occurs 2-6 h after ingestion of culprit food and is usually accompanied by pallor and lethargy. There may be diarrhea, and in 10-20% of cases, severe hypotension. These symptoms resolve completely within a few hours. The food most frequently involved is cow's milk, followed by rice, but many other foods may be involved. The prognosis is generally good in a few years. In this review the authors try to cope, with the help of some case histories, with the practical clinical aspects of FPIES. The authors also try to provide a management approach based on current knowledge, and finally, to point out the aspects of FPIES that are still controversial.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Age of Onset
  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cortisone / therapeutic use
  • Diet Therapy
  • Enterocolitis / diagnosis
  • Enterocolitis / epidemiology*
  • Enterocolitis / therapy
  • Female
  • Food / adverse effects*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / diagnosis
  • Food Hypersensitivity / epidemiology*
  • Food Hypersensitivity / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hypotension
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Syndrome
  • Vomiting

Substances

  • Cortisone