Background
Asctites is rare in eosinophilic gastroenteritis.
Case characteristics
An 11-year-old boy who presented with abdominal pain and ascites.
Observation
Peripheral blood examination revealed eosinophilia; serum IgE levels were raised. Biopsy from gastric antrum revealed marked eosinophilic infiltration of mucosa.
Outcome
The child’s symptoms and clinical findings improved after corticosteroids and anti-allergy treatment for 2 weeks.
Message
Children presenting with unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms in the presence of ascites should be investigated for the gastrointestinal tract allergic disease.