Food protein induced enterocolitis syndrome: French practices assessment in children

Abstract

Background

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a specific non IgE-mediated food allergy. The international consensus guidelines defined diagnosis criteria and management plan in 2017.

Objectives

To assess practices regarding FPIES in France and in French-speaking countries, according to those guidelines.

Methods and Setting

We carried out a 22-question online survey to assess practices of specialised physicians (paediatricians, allergists, gastroenterologists, members of 2 French-speaking learning societies and/or working at hospitals in paediatric allergy units) following patients with FPIES between August 2019 and February 2022.

Results

We received 92 replies to our survey, mostly from hospital practitioners following less than 10 patients with FPIES. Oral rehydration solution and/or Ondansetron were largely prescribed in the emergency kit (61/72, 84.7 % and 47/72, 65.3 % respectively). 20 practitioners declared never prescribing an emergency kit. There was some confusion when distinguishing between FPIES and an IgE-mediated food allergy, as suggested by the unnecessary prescription of an antihistamine (18/72, 25.0 %) and/or epinephrine (11/72, 15.3 %) in the emergency kit. An explanatory FPIES emergency management letter to physicians in case of allergic reactions was provided in 83.7 % (77/92) of patients. Oral food challenge (OFC) practices varied greatly concerning doses: most respondents used several doses (52/92, 56.5 %) during the same day (33/52, 63.4 %). Eleven responders (12.0 %) used the same protocol as for an IgE-mediated food allergy.

Conclusion

Our survey showed that practices of FPIES management in France are generally aligned with the international consensus guidelines. There are still pending issues to be standardised, such as the emergency kit prescription and its contents, as well as OFC management strategies. This work confirms the need for continuous training of physicians regarding FPIES management. Further guidelines are needed to improve standardisation of FPIES management.