Neocate for Allergy Induced Eosinophilic Esophagitis
Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is characterized by the infiltration of a large number of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell in the esophagus. It is an emerging disease in children; the prevalence of the disease is thought to be around 4.26 per 10,000 children with 80% in boys. In children, these diseases are often related with gastroesophageal reflux disease (about 8-10% of cases) or with a food allergy.
Symptoms very from one individual to the next and may differ depending on age. EE symptoms may include vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux, nausea, food aversion, growth failure or chest and abdominal pain.
Nutritional therapy is the preferred form of EE therapy. Research has shown an 88-98% success rate (removal of eosinophils) with nutritional therapy. There are two primary forms of nutritional therapy for EE, an elemental diet and elimination diet. An elemental diet includes the removal of all sources of whole proteins. This involves the use of an amino acid-based formula such as Neocate. An elimination diet refers to the strict removal of foods tested positive through allergy tests or removal of one of more of the top 8 food allergens seen in children (milk, soy, egg, nut: tree and peanut, wheat, and fish/shellfish). Elemental formulas such as Neocate are used in an elimination diet to supplement the restricted diet to meet 100% of the child’s nutritional needs.
More information on EE can be found in our EE parent guide. Click here to download
Nutritional therapy should be under the direction and supervision of a healthcare professional.
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