Clinical characteristics and treatment response of eosinophilic esophagitis in pediatric patients

Background: Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune-mediated esophageal disease with increasing incidence worldwide, although pediatric data from Latin America remain limited. Methods: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal descriptive study including patients aged 0–18 years diagnosed with EoE between 2013 and 2023 at a tertiary referral center in Colombia. Diagnosis was based on compatible clinical manifestations and histologic confirmation on esophageal biopsy. Demographic, clinical, histologic, and allergen sensitization profiles, as well as treatment response and endoscopic follow-up, were analyzed descriptively. Results: Seventy-five patients were included, with a median age of 10 years, and 65% were male. The most frequent symptoms were persistent gastroesophageal reflux (53%), recurrent abdominal pain (51%), and vomiting (32%). Allergic comorbidities were frequent, predominantly allergic rhinitis and asthma. Among patients who underwent follow-up endoscopy (68%), clinical and histologic remission were observed in 59% and 39%, respectively. Conclusions: This pediatric cohort demonstrated a substantial atopic burden and a heterogeneous therapeutic response. The discordance between clinical and histologic remission underscores the importance of structured endoscopic follow-up. These findings provide region-specific data that may inform multidisciplinary management strategies in pediatric EoE.