Does bee pollen cause to eosinophilic gastroenteropathy?

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Allergology
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Mothers frequently administer bee pollen to children to enhance immune function.
• Limited scientific literature exists on the potential adverse effects of bee pollen in pediatric populations.
• This study addresses the gap by presenting a case of bee pollen-induced allergic eosinophilic gastropathy.

Observation:

• A 5-year-old child presented with abdominal pain, edema, and hypoproteinemia.
• The child exhibited urticaria and elevated eosinophil counts (1,800/mm³).
• Daily bee pollen consumption was identified as a potential trigger during detailed history taking.

Findings:

• Endoscopic examination and biopsy revealed abundant eosinophils throughout the gastric mucosa, confirming allergic eosinophilic gastropathy.
• Discontinuation of bee pollen led to rapid symptom resolution, including the disappearance of abdominal pain and edema within five days.
• Serum albumin and total eosinophil levels normalized within four weeks after cessation of bee pollen intake.

Implications:

• This case underscores the potential for bee pollen to induce severe allergic reactions, specifically eosinophilic gastropathy, in children.
• Healthcare providers should consider bee pollen as a potential allergen in pediatric cases of unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms and hypereosinophilia.
• Further research is warranted to investigate the immunological mechanisms and prevalence of adverse reactions to bee pollen in children.