Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Clinic

Learn more about this program or service by browsing the categories below.

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Disorders Clinic

Eosinophilic Esophagitis is a recently recognized disease entity that is thought to be driven, in part, by allergic stimuli. In January 2004, Dr. Seema Aceves, Dr. John Bastian (Allergy, Immunology) and Dr. Ranjan Dohil (Gastroenterology) initiated an integrated Pediatric Allergy and Gastroenterology Clinic dedicated to the care of children with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders.

Similar to other allergic disorders, such as asthma and allergic rhinitis, allergic gastrointestinal diseases, such as eosinophilic esophagitis are increasing in incidence. Both food and aero-allergens have been implicated in eosinophilic gastrointestinal processes. Usual treatments for these disorders include allergen avoidance, as with elimination diets or elemental formula, and topical or systemic steroid therapy. Treatment with anti-IL-5, an intravenous agent, is currently under investigation.

Children with eosinophilic esophagitis and/or gastroenteritis are evaluated by the clinical team at Rady Children’s, tested for appropriate allergens that may play a causative role in their disease process, educated on their disease and potential therapeutic interventions, and offered an integrated care plan. Our clinical team consist of Pediatric Allergy, Immunology (Drs. Aceves and Bastian), Pediatric Gastroenterology (Dr. Dohil), Pediatric Nutritionist (Elizabeth English), and a Pediatric Nurse Coordinator (Carrie Arii). Clinical trial involvement is offered to patients who are interested and meet appropriate criteria.