Food Protein-induced Enterocolitis Syndrome: Data From a Multicenter Retrospective Study in Spain

The aim of the study was to describe clinical, epidemiological, and management characteristics of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) cases in Spain.

Multicenter observational retrospective study. FPIES cases diagnosed in specialized units in Spain over 12 months in 2017 (January-December) according to the recently published international diagnostic criteria were included.

One hundred twenty patients (53.3% boys) were included. The majority were acute cases (111) with mild-to-moderate severity (76.7%). Triggering foods were cow's milk (48/120), fish (38), egg (13), rice (12), and soy (1). The majority (84.2%) of the patients had FPIES to 1 food only. In addition to vomiting (100%), pallor (89.2%), and altered behavior (88.3%) were most frequently observed in acute forms. On the contrary, diarrhea (70%), abdominal distension (33.3%), and blood in stools (44.4%) were more frequently observed in chronic cases. Oral challenge was performed in 18.9% of the acute forms compared to 44.4% of the chronic forms. The most common treatment was intravenous fluids followed by ondansetron. Corticosteroids were used in 6 patients (5 with acute symptoms and 1 chronic). Seven patients were treated with antibiotics for suspicion of infection. Most cases of cow's milk FPIES were treated with extensively hydrolyzed formulas (69.8%).

FPIES is not uncommon in our units. Unlike other published series, fish and egg are important triggers in our country. A greater knowledge and diffusion of the international consensus criteria will allow a better characterization of the cases and a standardization of their management.