• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the clinical features and natural history of dietary protein induced proctocolitis (DPIPC) and to detect the causative foods of DPIPC, and to evaluate the effect of elimination of the foods on the course of the disease. Methods: Between March 2003 and July 2004, data from 30 consecutive patients with DPIPC who were followed for over 6 months, was reviewed. The diagnostic criterion used for DPIPC was an increase in the number of eosinophils in the lamina propria (${\geq}60per$ 10 high-power fields). In breast feeding mothers, 5 highly allergenic foods were eliminated from the maternal diet for 7 days, namely, allergenic food groups such as dairy products, eggs, nuts and soybean, fish and shellfish, and wheat and buckwheat. We observed the disappearance or appearance of hematochezia after elimination or challenge with the offending foods. Results: Before diagnosis infants were breast-fed (93.3%) or formula-fed (6.7%). Mean age at symptom onset was $11.5{\pm}5.1$ (5~24) weeks, and mean age at diagnosis was $17.8{\pm}9.5$ (8~56) weeks. Duration from symptom onset to diagnosis was $6.3{\pm}6.7$ (0~36) weeks. Mean peripheral blood eosinophil count was $478{\pm}320$ (40~1,790)/$mm^3$ and eosinophilia (> $250/mm^3$) was observedin 90.0% of patients. None of patients were found to have an increased serum IgE level. Of 15 patients that received sigmoidoscopy, nodular hyperplasia with erosion was observed in 93.3%. Of 27 patients whose mother ate the diet eliminated the 5 food groups, hematochezia diappeared in 74.1% of patients. Offending foods were identified as dairy products (37.5%), wheat and buckwheat (27.5%), fish and shellfish (20.0%), nuts and soybean (7.5%) and eggs (7.5%). A free maternal diet without patient's clinical symptoms was achieved at $29.4{\pm}8.7$ (9~44) weeks of patient's age, and a free baby diet without blood in stools was achieved at $37.5{\pm}9.7$ (12~56) weeks of age. Conclusion: DPIPC commonly occurs in exclusively breast-fed babies. Elimination of the above-mentioned 5 hyper-allergenic food groups from the maternal diet for 7days enables the detection of the offending foods. DPIPC is a transient disorder and 96.0% of patients can tolerate the offending foods at 12 months of age.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.795-804
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• 1998

Background: Chronic eosinophilic pneumonia(CEP) is interstitial lung disease characterized by multiple infiltration on radiographic study, accumulation of eosinophils in the alveolar space and interstitium of the lung, chronic persistent symptoms and possible relapse. Acute eosinophilic pneumonia(AEP) is a recently described illness, characterized by rapid clinical course, acute respiratory insufficiency and no relapse. Method : To better characterize acute and chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, we studied the clinical and laboratory features of 16 patients(AEP : 7 patients, CEP : 9 patients), which were clinico-pathohistologically diagnosed and not to be associated with organic disorders producing peripheral blood eosinophilia. Results: The mean age was higher for patients with CEP than for patients with AEP ($55.4{\pm}15.1$ vs. $24.6{\pm}7.9$ years, p<0.05). High fever(above $38^{\circ}C$) was presented in all patients of AEP and in one patient(11%) of CEP. All patients of AEP and eight patients (89%) of CEP showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates, and 6 patients(86%) of AEP and 2 patients(22%) of CEP showed pleural effusion in chest radiograph. The mean white blood cell count of AEP and CEP were $17,186/mm^3$ and $12,867/mm^3$, respectively. The mean peripheral blood eosinophil count of AEP and CEP were $939/mm^3$ and $2,104/mm^3$, respectively. The mean eosinophil fraction of BAL fluid of AEP and CEP were 32.4% (range: 18~47%) and 35.8% (range: 15.3~88.2%), respectively. The mean $PaO_2$ was lower for patients with AEP than for patients with CEP ($44.1{\pm}15.5$ vs. $62.7{\pm}6.9$mmHg, p<0.05). All patients of AEP and CEP were initially treated with antibiotics. All patients of CEP and one patients of AEP were finally required systemic steroid therapy. 6 patients of AEP were improved without steroid therapy. Relapse was observed in 3 patients(33%) of CEP. Conclusion : Compair with of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, acute eosinophilic pneumonia was characterized by relatively young age, acute onset, high fever, severe hypoxemia, diffuse pulmonary infiltrates with pleural effusion, steroid therapy is effective but spontaneous improvement with conservative therapy was frequent.