Eosinophilic gastroenteritis presenting with severe anemia and near syncope

Eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders or eosinophilic digestive disorders encompass a spectrum of rare gastrointestinal disorders that includes eosinophilic esophagitis, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, and eosinophilic colitis. Eosinophilic gastroenteritis is a rare inflammatory disease characterized by eosinophilic infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract. The clinical manifestations include anemia, dyspepsia, and diarrhea. Endoscopy with biopsy showing histologic evidence of eosinophilic infiltration is considered definitive for diagnosis. Corticosteroid therapy, food allergen testing, elimination diets, and elemental diets are considered effective treatments for eosinophilic gastroenteritis. The treatment and prognosis of eosinophilic gastroenteritis is determined by the severity of the clinical manifestations. We describe a 24-year-old woman with eosinophilic gastroenteritis presenting as epigastric pain with a history of severe iron deficiency anemia, asthma, eczema, and allergic rhinitis, and we review the literature regarding presentation, diagnostic testing, pathophysiology, predisposing factors, and treatment recommendations.