MEDICAID NOTICE: Lurie Children’s continues to serve all patients enrolled in Medicaid. As a safety-net hospital, we will continue providing high-quality care to every child who needs us.

AVISO SOBRE MEDICAID: Lurie Children’s continúa atendiendo a todos los pacientes inscritos en Medicaid. Como hospital perteneciente a la red de protección social, continuaremos brindando atención de alta calidad a cada niño que nos necesite.

Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGID) Program

The Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGID) Program is devoted to the comprehensive care and research of children diagnosed with:

Located at our Outpatient Center in Lincoln Park, the program serves the growing number of children who suffer from EoE, EG, EGE, and EC.


Why Choose Lurie Children's?

We have a dedicated, multidisciplinary team made up of specialists from many different areas. Combining several areas of expertise into every diagnosis ensures that our patients have the most thorough and best care possible. The team includes:

  • Pediatric gastroenterologists
  • Pediatric allergists
  • Pediatric psychologists
  • Registered dietitians
  • A pediatric nurse practitioner
  • Registered nurses
  • Social workers

Our team also provides state-of-the-art diagnostic testing including:

  • Upper endoscopy
  • Colonoscopy
  • Endoscopic functional luminal impedance probe (EndoFLIP)
  • Trans-nasal endoscopy (TNE)
  • pH impedance probe
  • Allergy blood testing
  • Skin prick testing

To treat esophageal rings and strictures, we offer endoscopic balloon dilation. The treatments offered are individualized to the specific needs of the patients.

What to Expect

Treatment​ for EGIDs usually includes a special diet and medicine to help manage symptoms. These conditions happen when the body reacts in an unusual way to certain foods, causing inflammation in the digestive system.

A dietitian will help create a meal plan that removes foods that may be causing problems. Medicines like acid blockers, swallowed steroids, and other drugs may also be used to reduce inflammation and help patients feel better. The treatment plan is different for each person and depends on their age, symptoms, and how their body responds to treatment.

Dietary Therapy

Guided by a dietitian, dietary options include:

  • Elemental Diet: A hypoallergenic formula is the main calorie source.
  • Elimination Diets:
    • 1FED: Removes milk protein.
    • 4FED: Removes milk, soy, wheat, and egg proteins.
    • 6FED: Removes milk, soy, wheat, egg, nut, and seafood proteins.

Medication Options

  • Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs): Taken twice daily (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole, esomeprazole).
  • Swallowed Topical Steroids: Taken twice daily (e.g., fluticasone inhaler, viscous budesonide).
  • Oral Systemic Steroids: Prednisone.
  • Biologics: Dupixent.

Our Specialists

The EGID Program is led by Joshua B. Wechsler, MD, MSCI, EGID Program Director. 

The other members of the team include:

The EGID Program also includes allergists from Lurie Children's Division of Allergy Immunology. 

Make an Appointment

We offer easy online scheduling for your child's GI needs. 

EGID Program Research

The Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGID) Program​ has an active and growing research component. In addition to participation in clinical trials, the members of EGID team collaborate with other institutions to advance basic and clinical research in this area.

Resources & Support

EGID Program​​ News & Stories

Gamechanger: New Way to Improve Outcomes in Kids with Eosinophilic Esophagitis

Read more

What Parents Should Know about the Formula Shortage

Our pediatric experts weigh in on what parents and care givers should know about the recent formula shortage. 

Read more

Four-Food Elimination Diet Can Treat Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Children

Read more

Tests & Treatments

Philanthropy

Your support is vital in helping us continue to make a difference in the lives of patients and families. Lurie Children's relies on philanthropic funding to enhance its programs, services and research for children. To learn more, please e-mail the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago Foundation at foundation@luriechildrens.org or call 312.227.7500