Enteropathy caused by sensitivity to foods such as cow milk protein
Alternate/Historical Names
Allergic gastroenteropathy
Cow milk protein enteropathy
Diagnostic Criteria
Presents under 12 months of age or on exposure to the food in question
Biopsy of esophagus may show marked eosinophilic infiltrate
Biopsy of small intestine is non-specific
Acute and chronic inflammation
Variable numbers of eosinophils
Variable villous atrophy
Intra-epithelial lymphocytes may be increased by usually fewer than in celiac disease
Diagnosis based on resolution following dietary restriction
Cow milk is a common cause
Breast milk and soy protein may also be causes
Others include egg and wheat
Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting : November 11, 2009
Differential Diagnosis
Eosinophilic gastroenteritis may be histologically indistinguishable but is excluded by the very early age of onset and the response to dietary restriction
Resolved by elimination of offending food from diet
Not related to diet
Bibliography
Noffsinger A, Fenoglio-Preiser CM, Maru D, Gilinisky N. Gastrointestinal Diseases, AFIP Atlas of Nontumor Pathology, First Series, Fascicle 5, 2007
Sampson HA, Anderson JA. Summary and recommendations: Classification of gastrointestinal manifestations due to immunologic reactions to foods in infants and young children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2000;30 Suppl:S87-94.
