“FPIES is real, both acute and chronic FPIES. It's not a myth, and it can be an allergic emergency.” -- Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn

Join Dr. Mariam Hanna for a comprehensive discussion on Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) with Dr. Anna Nowak-Wegrzyn, a leading expert in pediatric allergy and immunology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn sheds light on this unique and often perplexing condition, offering critical insights for healthcare providers.

On this episode:

Understanding FPIES:

• Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn explains FPIES, a non-IgE mediated food allergy that manifests differently from traditional food allergies. She details the typical presentation of FPIES, including severe vomiting, lethargy, and pallor, which can occur a few hours after food ingestion.

Difference in Presentation Between Children and Adults:

• Learn about how FPIES presents in different age groups. While it typically begins in infancy, Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn discusses the mysterious cases where FPIES emerges in adults who have tolerated the triggering food for years.

How FPIES Differs from IgE-Mediated Food Allergies:

• Understand the key differences between FPIES and IgE-mediated food allergies. Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn outlines why skin and blood tests may be negative in FPIES cases, despite the severity of symptoms.

Prognosis and Counseling Parents:

• Discover the prognosis for children with FPIES, with many outgrowing the condition by age three to five. Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn emphasizes the importance of educating and empowering parents through careful counseling and shared decision-making.

Management and Treatment:

• Dr. Nowak-Wegrzyn discusses current strategies for managing FPIES, including dietary modifications, careful introduction of new foods, and the potential use of ondansetron for managing symptoms at home. She also addresses the use of epinephrine in atypical FPIES cases with IgE sensitization.

Tune in to this episode for an in-depth exploration of FPIES, offering practical advice and valuable insights for healthcare providers navigating this challenging condition.

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