Question:

I am the mother of a boy who has been diagnosed with eosinophilic esophagitis.

For the past few years, we have been having problems with water infiltration from outside, which has led to mould inside our home. Since the symptoms of the disease have also worsened over the past few years, I would like to know whether this situation may have caused or worsened my son’s condition.

I have read that environmental factors may cause, or in any case act as a trigger for, the disease.

Answer:

Eosinophilic esophagitis currently has no known single cause, and its etiology is likely multifactorial, involving genetic, immunological and environmental factors.

It is therefore not possible to establish a causal link between environmental mould exposure and the development of eosinophilic disease of the esophagus.

prof. Edoardo V. Savarino, Professore associato di Gastroenterologia
UOC di Chirurgia, Oncologia e Gastroenterologia
Università di Padova - Azienda Ospedaliera Università di Padova

Please remember that the answers provided are opinions and do not constitute medical advice. They cannot replace a consultation, a medical examination, or the review of the patient’s medical documentation.