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Aim: To determine the relationship between blood tests and oesophageal histology in Eosinophilic oesophagitis (EoE). Methods: All children diagnosed with EoE at one hospital from 2000 to 2009 were considered for inclusion in this study. Three blood test results were analysed, blood eosinophil count, serum total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and radioallergosorbent tests (RAST) to common food allergens. Oesophageal histology was prospectively re-reviewed, and mean eosinophil counts were enumerated. Blood test results were correlated with oesophageal eosinophil counts using Spearman's rank test. Results: Forty children (70% boys) were included in this study, median age at diagnosis 6.5 years (range 0-15). At the time of diagnosis, 78% of children had a raised blood eosinophil count, 90% had a raised serum total IgE and 83% had one or more positive RAST tests. The mean oesophageal eosinophil count was significantly correlated with both blood eosinophil count (p = 0.008) and serum total IgE level (p = 0.008). Conclusion: This study shows that blood tests are often abnormal in children with EoE at the time of diagnosis. Our data demonstrate an association between histological abnormalities and blood test results in children with EoE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim To determine the incidence and examine the epidemiology of achalasia before the age of 16 years in the UK from 1998 to 2008. Methods 25 regional paediatric surgery referral centres were asked to provide demographic and epidemiological data on cases of childhood achalasia from 1998 to 2008. Incidence rates were calculated from national population estimates. The data collection method was validated in one centre. Results 228 patients from 24 centres were diagnosed with achalasia before 16 years in the UK from 1998 to 2008. The mean incidence from 1998 to 2008 was 0.18/105 children/year. Where additional data was provided (69-81% of cases) 56% of children were male and the mean age of diagnosis was 10.9 years. Logistic regression analysis showed a rising incidence, with an OR of 1.12 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.16) for having achalasia in each successive year. The validation of this methodology showed that 95% of true cases and no false cases were identified. Conclusions The mean incidence of childhood achalasia in the UK from 1998 to 2008 is at least 0.18/105 children/year; this has risen over the last 11 years and compared to the only other study published in 1988. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]