[Anaphylactic reactions after intake of products with wheat]

Food allergy is common in small children. Sensitisation to wheat is frequent, reactions to ingested wheat more seldom and mostly associated with atopic eczema and exercise-induced anaphylaxis.

Eleven children with severe reactions after ingestion of small amounts of wheat were referred to us for further diagnostic procedures. Skin prick tests, total and specific IgE as well as oral provocation test were performed.

All but two children had strongly positive skin prick tests results to wheat. The same two children had specific IgE to Immunocap f4 (a-amylase) < 10 kUa/L while the nine other children had specific IgE to f4 > 29 kUa/L. All children had general reactions when provoked orally with small amounts of wheat with the need for administration of adrenalin and in most cases oral steroids.

It is important to identify children at risk for general reactions to wheat, as cereals are staple foods in our community. Identification of the proteins involved in serious reactions is essential.