A Systematic Review of Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a non-IgE-mediated gastrointestinal food-induced hypersensitivity disorder that occurs mostly in infants. Long considered a rare disease, a recent increase in physician awareness and publication of diagnosis of guidelines has resulted in an increase in recognized FPIES cases. We aimed to conduct a systematic review of FPIES studies in the past 10 years. A search was conducted on PubMed and Embase in March 2022. Our systematic review focused on 2 domains: (1) the most reported FPIES food triggers; and (2) the resolution rate and median age at resolution of patients with FPIES. We found that cow's milk was the most reported trigger globally. Patterns of the most common triggers varied by country, with fish being one of the most common triggers in the Mediterranean region. We also found that the rate and median age of resolution varied by trigger. Patients with FPIES to cow's milk acquired tolerance at a younger age (most by age 3 years), while fish-FPIES was more persistent (mean resolution by age 37 months–7 years). Overall, many studies found a resolution rate of 60% for any food.