K52.2 – Allergic Gastroenteritis and Colitis
K52.2 is the ICD-10 code for allergic and dietetic gastroenteritis and colitis – an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract triggered by allergic or dietary causes.
Things worth knowing about "K52.2"
K52.2 is the ICD-10 code for allergic and dietetic gastroenteritis and colitis – an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract triggered by allergic or dietary causes.
What Does the ICD-10 Code K52.2 Mean?
The ICD-10 code K52.2 refers to Allergic and Dietetic Gastroenteritis and Colitis. This is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract caused by allergic reactions to certain foods or other dietary substances. The diagnosis is used clinically to identify gastrointestinal complaints that are attributable to a food allergy or food intolerance rather than infection or other causes.
Causes
The condition results from an excessive immune response to specific dietary components. Common triggers include:
- Food allergens such as cow's milk protein, peanuts, eggs, wheat, soy, or fish
- Food additives and artificial colorings
- Immune-mediated reactions involving immunoglobulin E (IgE) or non-IgE-mediated mechanisms
- Eosinophilic inflammation, in which a type of white blood cell (eosinophil) infiltrates the intestinal lining
Infants and young children are particularly affected, as their immune systems are still developing. Genetic predisposition and atopic tendencies (a tendency toward allergic conditions) also play a significant role.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary depending on severity and the sections of the gastrointestinal tract affected:
- Abdominal pain and cramps
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea (sometimes bloody)
- Bloating and a feeling of fullness
- Weight loss or failure to thrive (especially in children)
- Inflammation of the intestinal mucosa
In severe cases, significant nutritional deficiencies can develop if the intestinal lining is persistently damaged and nutrients can no longer be adequately absorbed.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis K52.2 is established through a combination of investigations:
- Medical history and food diary: Detailed documentation of dietary habits and the temporal relationship between food intake and symptoms
- Allergy testing: Skin prick tests or blood tests measuring specific IgE antibodies
- Elimination diet and provocation test: Suspected trigger foods are removed from the diet and then carefully reintroduced under medical supervision
- Endoscopy with biopsy: Examination of the intestinal lining for eosinophilic or other inflammatory changes
- Stool analysis: To rule out infectious causes such as bacteria or parasites
Treatment
Treatment depends on the identified trigger and the severity of the condition:
- Elimination diet: Consistently avoiding the causative food is the most important therapeutic measure
- Hydrolyzed or amino acid-based formulas: Particularly for infants with cow's milk protein allergy
- Medical therapy: In more severe cases, corticosteroids or other anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed
- Probiotics: May support gut flora as a complementary measure
- Nutritional counseling: Dietary guidance is essential to ensure a balanced diet despite elimination of trigger foods
In many cases – especially in young children – tolerance to the triggering food may develop over time. Regular medical follow-up is therefore important.
References
- World Health Organization (WHO): ICD-10 Version 2019, Chapter XI – Diseases of the Digestive System, Code K52.2.
- Koletzko S. et al.: Diagnosis and Management of Food Allergies in Children and Adolescents. Guidelines of the Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition (GPGE), 2022.
- Anvari S. et al.: Food Allergy. Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology, 2019; 29(1): 1–14.
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