Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome epidemiology.

OBJECTIVE

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a condition with heterogeneous features (ie, age at presentation, severity, food triggers, comorbidities) and is not as rare as initially believed. In the last few years, the first population-based epidemiologic study, few prospective birth cohort evaluating FPIES prevalence, and several larger (>100 patients) studies have been published, making epidemiologic estimation more reliable. In this review, we report on the available data on the epidemiology of FPIES.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed review using the following words: FPIES, epidemiology, and prevalence.

STUDY SELECTIONS

The review focused on the population-based epidemiologic study, few prospective birth cohort evaluating FPIES prevalence, and several larger (>100 patients) studies.

RESULTS

We identified 8 population or cohort studies.

CONCLUSION

FPIES is not rare in both children and adults and may affect as many as 900,000 people in the United States alone. Most children and adult with FPIES seem to react to 1 to 2 foods; however, they may need further diet restriction owing to high level of comorbidity with immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergies and eosinophilic esophagitis. Globally, cow's milk, rice/oat, and seafood seem to be the most common triggers.