Food Enteropathy
Definition
- Enteropathy caused by sensitivity to foods such as cow milk protein
Alternate/Historical Names
- Allergic gastroenteropathy
- Cow milk protein enteropathy
Diagnostic Criteria
- Presents under 12 months of age or on exposure to the food in question
- Biopsy of esophagus may show marked eosinophilic infiltrate
- Biopsy of small intestine is non-specific
- Acute and chronic inflammation
- Variable numbers of eosinophils
- Variable villous atrophy
- Intra-epithelial lymphocytes may be increased by usually fewer than in celiac disease
- Diagnosis based on resolution following dietary restriction
- Cow milk is a common cause
- Breast milk and soy protein may also be causes
- Others include egg and wheat
Robert V Rouse MD
Department of Pathology
Stanford University School of Medicine
Stanford CA 94305-5342
Original posting : November 11, 2009