The elemental diet demonstrates a high rate of response (almost 90% in children, 70% in adults), with a rapid relief of symptoms associated with histological remission. This diet involves using amino-acid based liquid formulas for 4-6 wk, followed by the histological evaluation of response. If remission is achieved, foods are slowly reintroduced. Pharmacologic treatment
In patients diagnosed with EoE, a trial of proton-pump inhibitors (PPI), such as esomeprazole 20 mg to 40 mg oral daily or twice daily as a first line therapy is a reasonable option. Nexium®, brand name esomeprazole, may be preferred as these tablets can be dispersed in half a glass of water and drank for those with difficulty swallowing pills. Those who respond to PPI therapy with symptomatic improvement, should have endoscopy with esophageal biopsy should be repeated. If no eosinophils are present in the repeat biopsy, the diagnosis is either acid mediated GERD with eosinophilia or non GERD PPI responsive EoE with unknown mechanism. If both symptoms and eosinophils persists after treatment with PPI, the diagnosis is immune mediated EoE.Medical therapy for immune mediated EoE primarily involves using corticosteroids. Systemic (oral) corticosteroids were one of the first treatment options shown to be effective in patients with EoE. Both clinical and histologic improvement have been noted in approximately 95% of EoE patients using systemic corticosteroids. However, upon discontinuation of therapy, 90% of patients using corticosteroids experience a recurrence in symptoms.
For mild acidosis, an effective fluid is 10% dextrose in ½ normal saline with 20 mEq/L KCl, but if acidosis is severe, 75–100 mEq/L NaHCO3 and 20 mEq/L of K acetate can be substituted for the NaCl and KCl. Metabolic control
Metabolic control often diminishes during and after puberty, as a result of a patient outgrowing their dietary treatment plan. Prognosis
Without adequate metabolic treatment, patients with GSD I have died in infancy or childhood of overwhelming hypoglycemia and acidosis. Those who survived were stunted in physical growth and delayed in puberty because of chronically low insulin levels. Intellectual disability resulting from recurrent, severe hypoglycemia is considered preventable with appropriate treatment. Liver complications have been serious in some patients. Adenomas of the liver can develop in the second decade or later, with a small chance of later malignant transformation to hepatoma or hepatic carcinomas (detectable by  alpha-fetoprotein screening). Several children with advanced hepatic complications have improved after liver transplantation. Additional problems reported in adolescents and adults with GSD I have included hyperuricemic gout, pancreatitis, and chronic kidney failure. Despite hyperlipidemia, atherosclerotic complications are uncommon. With diagnosis before serious harm occurs, prompt reversal of acidotic episodes, and appropriate long-term treatment, most children will be healthy. With exceptions and qualifications, adult health and life span may also be fairly good, although lack of effective treatment before the mid-1970s means information on long-term efficacy is limited. Epidemiology
In the United States, GSD I has an incidence of approximately 1 in 50,000 to 100,000 births.