Malnutrition in Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders

Abstract

Primary eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders (EGIDs) are emerging chronic/remittent inflammatory diseases of unknown etiology, which may involve any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, in the absence of secondary causes of GI eosinophilia. Eosinophilic esophagitis is the prototype of eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders and is clinically characterized by symptoms related to esophageal inflammation and dysfunction. A few studies have assessed the nutritional status of patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders, showing conflicting results. This review summarizes the current evidence on the nutritional status of patients with EGIDs, focusing on the pediatric point of view and also speculating potential etiological mechanisms.

Keywords

• children
• adolescents
• eosinophilic esophagitis
• eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders
• growth
• failure to thrive