Eosinophilic oesophagitis: a diagnosis to consider in African children

TJ Afaa; VK Etwire; NA Seneadza; AD Abrahams; NA Anane-Binfoh; YA Awuku

Authors

TJ Afaa University of Ghana
VK Etwire Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
NA Seneadza University of Ghana
AD Abrahams University of Ghana
NA Anane-Binfoh Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
YA Awuku University of Health and Allied Sciences

Keywords:

eosinophil, oesophagitis, endoscopy, children

Abstract

Background: Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the oesophagus which often presents in younger children as food refusal and failure to thrive, and in older children as food impaction and dysphagia. The goal of this study was to highlight some characteristics of the presence of EoE in African children who presented for upper gastrointestinal (GIT) endoscopy at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra, Ghana.

Cases: This is a case series of four children seen at a paediatric gastroenterology clinic with abdominal pain, vomiting and food impaction. They had personal and family histories of atopy. Upper GIT endoscopy and oesophageal biopsies showed eosinophil count of greater than 15. They all had a remarkable response to the treatment of EoE.

Conclusion: EoE was diagnosed in Ghanaian children although the exact prevalence is not known. There is the need to create awareness among clinicians in Africa for early diagnosis and optimal care of this condition.

Author Biographies

TJ Afaa, University of Ghana

Department of Child Health, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana

VK Etwire, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Paediatric Surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

NA Seneadza, University of Ghana

Department of Community Health, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana

AD Abrahams, University of Ghana

Department of Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, University of Ghana Medical School, Ghana

NA Anane-Binfoh , Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Department of Child Health, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

YA Awuku, University of Health and Allied Sciences

Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana