Treatment of eosinophilic esophagitis in children

Opinion statement

Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an important esophageal disorder with distinct clinicopathologic features, and the condition is associated with a high prevalence of food allergies and atopy. In the past decade, we have improved our ability to recognize the phenotype of EE, but our ability to treat EE effectively remains limited despite several reports of successful treatment using elemental or elimination diets, and systemic and topical corticosteroids. The limitations for developing effective treatment regimens are due to some still unresolved and ambiguous aspects of the pathogenesis of EE. Neither the predisposing factors for developing EE in a subset of patients with atopy, nor the variable responsiveness to control measures for allergens are fully understood. There also remain questions about the precise role of gastroesophageal reflux, and the natural history of the disorder, contingent on which is the optimal treatment of EE. In devising treatment for a patient with EE, all attempts should be made to identify and control food and other allergies. In patients who have no diagnosed allergies or who are unresponsive to allergy treatment, topical steroids are a safe and effective treatment option. Systemic steroids should be reserved for those patients who are refractory to topical steroids. Beyond the initial phase of induction treatment, it is crucial to develop effective and safe maintenance treatment regimens based on ongoing allergen control and mast cell inhibitors. There are limited but encouraging data to support further exploration of the role of leukotriene and interleukin-5 inhibitors as safe, effective, and steroid-sparing treatment options.