As October 14th has been declared Global FPIES Day, the International FPIES Association (I-FPIES) is asking for your support to sign a petition requesting federal recognition of FPIES Awareness. With your help, we hope to collect thousands of signatures from the FPIES community and its network of supporters.

As part of I-FPIES advocacy and awareness efforts, this petition will be presented for congressional support and a resolution officially recognizing the day of October 14th as National FPIES Awareness Day.

Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome (FPIES) affects infants and young children, causing them to have significant dietary restrictions with little to no treatment. Recent prevalence studies shows an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with FPIES, which highlights the needs for awareness of the disorder on behalf of the patients affected. According to recent studies, 0.04% of children live with FPIES.

FPIES is a non-IgE form of food allergy that primarily affects the gastrointestinal system. It typically begins in infancy. Symptoms occur roughly two hours after ingestion and include severe, repetitive vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, dehydration, and low blood pressure and body temperature. The most common “trigger” foods are cow’s milk, soy, rice and oats, but any food can cause an FPIES reaction.

It is likely that a majority of individuals with FPIES receive a delayed diagnosis, are misdiagnosed or not diagnosed at all. Therefore, they are not receiving the valuable programs and services that can help them and the specialized medical care that is often needed.

In an effort to generate awareness about FPIES and raise funding for critical programs and initiatives of the International FPIES Association, we ask that Congress officially recognize October 14th as National FPIES Awareness Day.