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Diagnosis and natural course of allergy to cooked potatoes in children

L F A De Swert1, P Cadot, J L Ceuppens

  • 1Pediatric Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.

Allergy
|June 19, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Allergy to cooked potatoes is common in young children and can be diagnosed using specific allergy tests. Most children outgrow this allergy by age four, but it may increase the risk of developing pollen allergies.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
  • Clinical Diagnostics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Heat-stable potato proteins can trigger severe allergic reactions in children.
  • Accurate diagnosis of cooked potato allergy is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish diagnostic criteria for cooked potato allergy.
  • To characterize the clinical presentation and natural history of this allergy.
  • To evaluate diagnostic performance of specific allergy tests.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty-six infants and toddlers (4-36 months) with atopic symptoms and positive allergy tests were studied.
  • Potato allergy was confirmed through provocation, elimination/reintroduction, or clinical history.
  • Diagnostic accuracy of potato-specific IgE (CAP) and skin prick tests (SPT) was assessed.

Main Results:

  • Common symptoms included eczema, gastrointestinal issues, urticaria, and wheezing; anaphylaxis occurred in some.
  • Potato-CAP (cut-off >2 kU/l) showed 100% sensitivity and 62.5% specificity.
  • SPT (score ≥3) had 100% sensitivity, while a score ≥4 had 100% specificity.
  • 80% of children achieved tolerance by 16-102 months.
  • Children with potato allergy had a higher incidence of developing pollen allergy by age 3-6 years compared to controls.

Conclusions:

  • Potato-CAP and SPT are effective diagnostic tools for cooked potato allergy.
  • Most children develop tolerance to cooked potato by a mean age of 4 years.
  • Cooked potato allergy is a risk factor for subsequent pollen allergy development.
Abstract

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