Eosinophilic oesophagitis, also known as EoE, particularly prevalent in children with an allergy background in the family or allergy themselves, such as eczema, asthma or hayfever.
It is a type of inflammation of the oesophagus by allergic cells, eosinophils. Inflammation over time is bad and can result in scarring and strictures of the effected organ.
It can present with discomfort or swallowing difficulties. It can also present as slow and fussy eating. Some young children will have symptoms which are typical of reflux.
The treatment is generally trial and error working through options like high dose antacids, elimination diets and topical steroids. Sometimes co-existent reflux can be present too.
If successfully teated in childhood, complications in adulthood can hopefully be prevented.
There are many trials going on in this area focusing and cause and treatments.