Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children: A Serbian Single-Center Experience from 2010 to 2017

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical, endoscopic, and pathohistological characteristics of pediatric eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) in Serbia. Method: All children aged 0–18 years diagnosed with EoE in the period between 2010 and 2017 at the University Children’s Hospital in Belgrade, Serbia, were retrospectively enrolled. Results: EoE was diagnosed in 35 children (12.45 ± 3.77 years) with a male predominance (74%). The median incidence rate was estimated to be 0.85 per 100,000 children per year with the highest rate estimated at 3.17 per 100,000 children in 2017. Dysphagia (71.4%) and food impaction (40%) were dominant symptoms. Inflammatory endoscopic changes were found in 74.3% and fibrostenotic changes in 62.9% of the children. The esophageal biopsy rate was low (6.8%), especially in children with reflux and nonspecific symptoms. Subepithelial fibrosis was found in only 20% of the patients. Since 2016, the number of biopsy samples has increased, but the sampling rate of lamina propria is still low (<50%). The correlation between the number of biopsies and lamina propria acquisition was strong (r_s = 0.773, p < 0.05). In 2 immunocompetent adolescents, EoE was diagnosed after successful treatment of infectious esophagitis. Conclusions: An increase in the incidence of EoE in Serbian children is evident. The biopsy rate in children with nonspecific and reflux symptoms should be increased, as well as the number of biopsy samples for the detection of subepithelial fibrosis. In immunocompetent children with infectious esophagitis, EoE should be suspected and endoscopy may be recommended after successful treatment of infection.