An Evolving Case of Concurrent Eosinophilic Esophagitis and Eosinophilic Gastroenteritis

Excerpt

A 13-year-old boy with a strong personal and family history of allergy presented with poor growth, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated immunoglobulin (Ig)E, and peripheral eosinophilia in 1978. The patient had appropriate growth until 7 years of age, but then his growth fell to the 3rd percentile for both weight and height. The patient experienced mild nausea and epigastric discomfort. He was otherwise an active boy with no other symptoms such as fever, vomiting or abdominal pain. He had regular bowel movements with no constipation or diarrhea. His past medical history was significant for multiple manifestations of allergy. As an infant, he was suspected to have a milk protein allergy and was placed on soy formula. His history was also significant for eczema, asthma, and multiple food allergies. Additionally, the patient had a history of anemia for which he was last treated with iron supplements 3 months prior to presentation. Currently, the patient was not taking any medications. The relevant family history included a father with severe food allergies, mother with asthma, and a younger brother who also exhibited poor growth. …