Psychosocial impact and multidisciplinary care of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) has a significant impact on patients and caregivers across multiple psychosocial domains. This paper outlines what is known about key contributors to the psychosocial burden of FPIES, questions that clinicians can ask to better understand this burden, and indications for referral to multidisciplinary members of FPIES care teams to manage specific psychosocial concerns. The authors propose concrete interventions to address major unmet needs in FPIES through education, advocacy, clinical care, and research. There is great scope for further research to characterize the unique psychosocial challenges that FPIES poses, which should include development and validation of FPIES-specific measures for psychosocial functioning to help guide management of individual patients, develop better resources for support, and study the psychosocial impact of interventions. Alleviating the psychosocial burden of FPIES for patients and families ultimately depends on promoting evidence-based and integrated multidisciplinary care of FPIES. Efforts should focus on deepening scientific understanding, enhancing diagnostic and management tools, and ensuring that evolving clinical guidelines meet the needs of both pediatric and adult patients worldwide.