Eosinophilic gastroenteritis with ascites in a child.

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 childs 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.