SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 16

(By Senators D. Hall, Miller and Plymale)

Urging United States Congress to recognize May 4, 2015, as "National FPIES Awareness Day".

            Whereas, Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome, also known as FPIES, is a clinically documented medical condition known to occur in infants and young children, with potentially life-threatening consequences if not properly diagnosed and managed; and

            Whereas, FPIES has been diagnosed in a small, but statistically significant, portion of infants and, because this condition is frequently misdiagnosed, it is likely to occur in greater numbers than currently known; and

            Whereas, FPIES and other gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders are easily misdiagnosed because they do not present the same symptoms as more commonly understood allergic reactions and there are, as yet, no diagnostic tests that are specific for FPIES and similar disorders; and

            Whereas, FPIES is a disease that can only be managed, as there is no cure and no treatment for its symptoms; and

            Whereas, The management of FPIES and the care of an afflicted patient often requires strict adherence to a diet of chemically modified formula in infants and specially manufactured, elemental foods for older children that may cost thousands of dollars per month; and

            Whereas, Knowledge of the nature of FPIES and other gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders has been slow to spread and these disorders are little known outside a small community of specialists; and

            Whereas, This lack of knowledge and understanding has adversely affected patients in emergency departments and urgent care centers and has resulted in inconsistent and long-delayed responses from many insurance providers; therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

            That the United States Congress is hereby urged to recognize May 4, 2015, as "National FPIES Awareness Day"; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That greater awareness of Food Protein Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome and other gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders be fostered through appropriate research, public hearings and public information initiatives; and, be it

            Further Resolved, That the Legislature encourages our medical community, insurance industry, dietitians, nutritionists, educators and child care workers to learn the symptoms and characteristics of gastrointestinal hypersensitivity disorders and to develop greater understanding of the accommodations needed to care for those with these disorders.