Food allergy in children.

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergology
• Pediatrics

Background:

• Food allergy is a significant and increasing global health issue, affecting all age groups but most prevalent in children under three.
• Sensitization can occur through direct exposure, maternal milk, or transplacentally, often leading to multiple allergies and co-existing with other hypersensitivities.
• Cross-reactivity between similar foods, like peanuts and tree nuts, is common, complicating diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of food allergy, including its prevalence, causes, common allergens, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies.
• To highlight the diagnostic role of elimination diets and discuss the long-term prognosis of various food allergies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on food allergy prevalence, pathogenesis, and clinical presentation.
• Analysis of diagnostic criteria, including medical history, clinical examination, and laboratory tests.
• Evaluation of therapeutic interventions, primarily elimination diets, and their impact on diagnosis.

Main Results:

• Proteins from cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, and cephalopods are responsible for over 90% of food allergic reactions.
• Clinical manifestations range widely, from mild symptoms to severe, potentially fatal systemic reactions.
• While many children outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, wheat, and soy, allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are often lifelong.

Conclusions:

• Accurate diagnosis of food allergy relies on thorough patient history, clinical assessment, and appropriate investigations.
• Elimination diets are crucial for diagnosis and management, with a positive response confirming the allergy.
• Lifelong vigilance is necessary for certain food allergies, particularly those to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish.