Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome

 

FPIES Overview

 

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome typically affects infants and young children. It is also called FPIES – pronounced like the letter “F” followed by the word “pies.” FPIES is a rare type of food allergy that affects the digestive tract. Symptoms show up a few hours after eating. The hallmark symptom is severe vomiting. There can also be diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, low blood pressure, and low body temperature. Milk, soy, rice, and oats are some of the more common FPIES allergens in the US. Keep reading to learn more about FPIES and talk to your healthcare provider about how Neocate® may be able to help.

WHAT IS FPIES?

WHAT IS FPIES?

FPIES is a delayed allergic reaction in the digestive tract to one or more specific trigger foods. When hearing the words ‘food allergy’, most people think of symptoms like hives or an itchy, swollen mouth, or even anaphylaxis. These are common symptoms for allergies that are mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.

But FPIES is different. The symptoms of FPIES are delayed onset (1-4 hours after eating the trigger food) vomiting and sometimes diarrhea, which can be severe. And FPIES is a non-IgE-mediated immune reaction. This means that the usual IgE- based allergy tests will not detect this type of allergy.

HOW COMMON IS FPIES?

HOW COMMON IS FPIES?

FPIES is rare. The National Organization of Rare Disorders (NORD) estimates the number of cases in the United States is around three per 1,000 newborns every year. However, so little is known about this condition that nobody can be completely sure yet.

WHO IS AFFECTED BY FPIES?

WHO IS AFFECTED BY FPIES?

FPIES affects both boys and girls, usually as infants and young children, starting within the first year of life. In extremely rare cases, FPIES has developed in older children or adults as a reaction to shellfish.

WHEN DO PEOPLE “GET” FPIES? WHEN DO THEY OUTGROW IT?

WHEN DO PEOPLE “GET” FPIES? WHEN DO THEY OUTGROW IT?

Often FPIES shows up when a baby first starts on a cow milk or soy-based formula, or on solid foods. In rare cases, FPIES has occurred in exclusively breastfed babies. Many children outgrow FPIES by age three, but this can vary based on how severe their symptoms are and which foods they react to.

According to an article from Kids With Food Allergies one study showed that 100% of infants with FPIES reactions to barley were tolerating barley by age three. In contrast, only 60% of those with FPIES reactions to dairy tolerated dairy by age three and 40% of infants with FPIES reactions to rice tolerated rice by age three.

Get More Details About FPIES

Get More Details About FPIES

SYMPTOMS

Do you think your child may have FPIES? Learn the signs and symptoms.

CAUSES

What triggers FPIES? Learn what we know.

DIAGNOSIS

What are the tests for FPIES? Find out here.

DIET/MANAGEMENT

How do you manage a child with FPIES? See recommendations.

Helpful FPIES Groups and Associations

IFPIES logoInternational FPIES Association (I-FPIES)

A recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation and organization that provides education, support, and advocacy for individuals with FPIES and their families. I-FPIES partners with leaders in the medical community to develop evidence- based research with a focus on early detection and new treatment options.

 

FPIES Foundation LogoFPIES Foundation

The FPIES Foundation is an 501c3 Non-profit Foundation dedicated to overcoming the challenges of FPIES by offering tools for education, support and advocacy to empower families and the medical community. Some of the resources available include Kids Corner, Learning Library, Provider Database, The FPIES Patient Registry and The FPIES Toolbox which includes tools such as Advocacy, Doctor visits, Emergency Care, Cooking and Nutrition, and Awareness and Education.

 

Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE)

A nonprofit organization formed in 2012 through a merger of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) and the Food Allergy Initiative (FAI). FARE works on behalf of the 32 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis.

 

Kids With Food Allergies

Offers daily assistance and practical food allergy management help. It has a large online peer support group focused on children’s food allergies — a good place for giving and getting help with food ideas, recipes, and cooking challenges.

Registration is free.

​Food Protein-induced Enterocolitis Syndrome Products

Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which Neocate products are right for you.

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