An inflammatory condition known as Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) mimics reflux and causes refusal to eat. This condition affects about 1 in 2000 children in the United States and the number of cases continuously to grow. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine and Riley Hospital for Children report that treatment with oral or swallowed/sprayed steroids results in significant patient improvement, but if the treatment is stopped, symptoms relapse continues.

The study made by the team of Dr. Sandeep K. Gupta showed that oral, spray or systemic corticosteroids all provide significant improvement in the conditions of the patients. However, systemic corticosteroids showed faster effects and relief on the patients.

From Medical News Today:

The results of a randomized clinical trial which compared prednisone and another commonly prescribed medication appear in the February 2008 issue of Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology.

“We are seeing increasing numbers of children with EE who can benefit from effective therapy. Our study found that while systemic corticosteroids provided better initial patient improvement compared to swallowed steroids, long term results were similar between the groups,” said Sandeep K. Gupta, M.D., IU School of Medicine associate professor of clinical pediatrics and a Riley Hospital pediatric gastroenterologist.

“A child will often continue to suffer in silence if this disease is left untreated. We are not sure why the number of cases is increasing, but we are seeing an average of two new cases every week at Riley Hospital. As we study treatment options, we are also investigating how and why food allergies and environmental factors appear to play a role in this disease,” said Dr. Gupta.

EE can be a serious condition and cause children to refuse to eat, to vomit, or to get food stuck as the esophagus narrows from inflammation. Boys are twice more susceptible to develop Eosinophilic esophagitis than girls.