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Gastrointestinal Aspects of Epidermolysis Bullosa

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Epidermolysis Bullosa

Abstract

The gastrointestinal complications of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) are a major cause of symptoms and morbidity and contribute substantially to the nutritional problems and growth retardation of these patients. The most severe problems are related to involvement of the proximal gut, oropharynx, and esophagus. However, anal lesions and altered colonic function lead to frequent difficulties with bowel function. In one study of 101 EB patients representing simplex, junctional and dystrophic forms of EB,1 a wide variety of upper gastrointestinal symptoms were seen in 68 patients. These consisted of oral blisters, odynophagia, dysphagia, dental anomalies, microstomia and pyrosis. Forty six patients had lower gastrointestinal manifestations, consisting of hematochezia, anal pain, constipation, perianal blisters and tenesmus. Management of these gastrointestinal complications is difficult and must be approached cautiously because of the danger of further injury to the squamous mucosa.

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Authors
  1. Gulchin Ergun
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  2. Robert A. Schaefer
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Investigative Dermatology, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10021-6399, USA

    Andrew N. Lin M.D.  & D. Martin Carter M.D., Ph.D.  & 

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© 1992 Springer-Verlag New York, Inc.

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Ergun, G., Schaefer, R.A. (1992). Gastrointestinal Aspects of Epidermolysis Bullosa. In: Lin, A.N., Carter, D.M. (eds) Epidermolysis Bullosa. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2914-8_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-2914-8_11

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-7717-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-2914-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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