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Specialists from Children's Hospital Boston's Pediatric Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition Program and the Allergy and Immunology Program have teamed up to provide a multidisciplinary approach to the diagnosis and treatment of children with allergic gastrointestinal (GI) disorders. The Center for Allergic and Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders brings together gastroenterologists, allergists, dieticians and social
support services to help children with these complex, chronic conditions.
Eosinophilic disorders occur in conjunction with elevated levels of certain white blood cells (eosinophils) in one or more parts of the digestive system. Symptoms are wide-ranging and include nausea, regurgitation or vomiting, abdominal pain and anemia. The recently described entity of eosinophilic esophagitis frequently presents with dysphagia and food impaction in children. In many instances, a biopsy is necessary to distinguish an eosinophilic-related disorder from diseases with similar presentations, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or inflammatory bowel disease. If a diagnosis is made, food allergy testing is essential before treatment.
There is no cure for these disorders. Children's new center will rely on its multidisciplinary team to provide effective management through dietary measures and medications that suppress eosinophils in the GI tract.
The center joins several other centers of excellence within the GI Program, including those for IBD, liver disease, celiac disease, clinical nutrition, motility and functional gastrointestinal disorders and endoscopy. The Allergy and Immunology Program cares for more than 6,000 children in New England, as well as children with rare immunodeficiencies from around the world.
More information on Gastroenterology:
childrenshospital.org/gastro
More information on Allergy/Immunology:
childrenshospital.org/allergy
More information on the American
Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders:
apfed.org |
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