Food protein-induced proctocolitis and enteropathy

Abstract

Non-IgE (immunoglobulin E) mediated gastrointestinal food allergies include several separate clinical entities, including food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis (FPIAP) and food protein-induced enteropathy (FPE). Although FPIAP and FPE both primarily affect the gastrointestinal tract, their presentations are vastly different. FPIAP presents with bloody stools in otherwise healthy infants, whereas FPE presents with chronic diarrhea, vomiting, malabsorption, and hypoproteinemia. These both typically present in infancy and resolve by early childhood. Although the presenting signs and symptoms may be different, management is similar in that both require avoidance of the suspected causal food.