FOOD ALLERGY IN CHILDHOOD

Abstract

Introduction: Food allergy affects up to 4 -6% of children. Cow’s milk and egg allergy are the main allergies, which are usually transient.

Purpose and methods: To characterize cases of persistent or less frequent food allergies in children followed as outpatient in a Level II Hospital. Diagnosis was based on clinical history, skin prick tests, specific serum IgE, ISAC and Imunoblotting in special situations, and in oral food challenge whenever possible. Egg allergy was excluded. One case of cow’s milk allergy was included because of its persistence beyond infancy.

Results: Twelve cases were selected, 75% (9) were male. There was a family history of allergy in 58.3% (7) and 83.3% (10) had more than one atopic disease. There were seven cases of kiwi fruit allergy and four cases of multiple food hypersensitivity. Clinical presentations were: urticaria [66.7% (8)]; lips edema [63.6% (7)], angioedema [41.7% (6)] and dyspnoea [45.5% (5)]. All skin prick tests were positive, unlike the laboratory tests (case 5:, skin prick tests and oral food challenge positives to the kiwi fruit, with specific serum IgE, immuno solid-phase allergen chip and immunoblotting negatives) Of the five patients who underwent oral food challenge, only one acquired tolerance

Conclusions: In these cases, most children had co-sensitization with other allergens, as well as another manifestation of concomitant allergy, showing the role of food allergy in allergic march. Food allergy diagnosis is extremely important, as it can be potentially serious if not prevented by food avoidance.