scholarly journals Food allergies among children as a social and medical problem

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Zyska ◽  
Adam Pawlak ◽  
Małgorzata Szerszeń ◽  
Dariusz Soszyński

Background: In recent years, food allergy has been diagnosed more frequently in children and adolescents. The environment is more toxic and chemical substances that are additives to food dominate the diet. Also, a changing lifestyle, exposure to stress, and a poorly balanced diet may have an impact on the occurrence of allergies. In society, more children suffer from food allergies than adults, and food allergies are becoming an increasingly serious social and medical problem. Aim of the study: The aim of this study is to review the subject of food allergies in children, with a focus on the social and medical problems associated with this condition. Material and methods: 31 studies, published in the last 10 years, were found in databases such as the Polish Medical Bibliography, PubMed Medline, and Google Scholar, using the following keywords: “food allergy”, “risk factors”, “diet”, “psychology”, “social aspects”. Conclusions: Given the potentially serious medical and social consequences resulting from allergic diseases, the increasing incidence of allergies among children and young people should motivate medical personnel and educators to receive additional training and to conduct further research in this area.

Author(s):  
Vera P. Vavilova ◽  
Alexander M. Vavilov ◽  
Sofia A. Tsarkova ◽  
Irina A. Nechaeva ◽  
Ekaterina Iu. Burmistrova ◽  
...  

Background. At present, due to high prevalence of allergic diseases which start in early childhood, the search for new prevention and treatment methods is in great demand. Aim. To study the effectiveness of the Russian-produced enterosorbent colloidal silicon dioxide in the treatment of patients with food allergies combined with atopic dermatitis and gastrointestinal manifestations. Materials and methods. An open, randomized, comparative clinical study of the enterosorbent (colloidal silicon dioxide) effectiveness has been conducted in parallel groups of infants and preschool children with food allergy skin and gastrointestinal manifestations. The main groups (1 67 children with food allergies and atopic dermatitis skin manifestations, 3 60 children with food allergies and gastrointestinal manifestations) received, along with basic medication, colloidal silicon dioxide enterosorbent day at an age-specific dosage twice a for 1014 days. Control groups (2 60 children with food allergies and atopic dermatitis skin manifestations, 4 60 children with food allergies and gastrointestinal manifestations) did not receive enterosorbent. All children underwent a clinical, functional and laboratory status assessment, including medical records analysis, a pediatrician clinical examination, narrow specialists (allergist-immunologist) examination, laboratory and instrumental research. The treatment effectiveness was being evaluated on the 14th day after the initiation of therapy and after 30 days. The therapy effectiveness was assessed based on regression of skin syndrome clinical and gastrointestinal manifestations, intoxication syndrome and laboratory parameters (IgE, hemogram eosinophilia duration). The study was conducted from 2017 to 2019. On the basis of LLC Modern Medical Technologies Clinics (Kemerovo). Results. Therapy with colloidal silicon dioxide increases the significance of food allergy skin manifestations positive dynamics, which makes it possible to reduce the volume of medication and the duration of topical glucocorticosteroids use to 5.340.35 days, in the compared group 10.520.85 days (p=0.002). All patients with food allergy combined with atopic dermatitis in the main and control groups noted positive clinical dynamics, appearing as decrease in the skin inflammatory reaction area and intensity. However, the of colloidal silicon dioxide use accelerates skin syndrome condition normalization significantly (group 1 skin syndrome persisted in 2.92.0% after 14 days, in group 2 18.34.9%; p=0.003). Colloidal silicon dioxide use accelerates humoral immunity state normalization (IgE) and peripheral blood parameters (hemogram eosinophilia). Colloidal silicon dioxide therapy accelerates food allergy gastrointestinal manifestations positive dynamics in children. Two weeks after the sorbent therapy started, gastrointestinal tract lesions symptoms frequency is less than in patients in the compared group. Diarrhea frequency before treatment started was 48.36.5%, 45.06.4% in the compared groups. After two weeks it decreased to 6.73.2% with the Polisorb therapy and to 16.64.8% in the compared group (p=0.003). Abdominal pain was noted by patients of both groups equally often before the study began. After 2 weeks, abdominal pain was noted by ten percent 10.03.9% of patients taking colloidal silicon dioxide and 25.05.6% of the compared group (p=0.009). Conclusion. Taking into account the composition of the colloidal silicon dioxide, it makes sense to include this medication in childrens food allergies complex treatment starting from infancy, which contributes to a more rapid relief of gastrointestinal system damage symptoms, life quality improvement for children and their parents, and decrease in medication load. When using colloidal silicon dioxide in children with food allergies, a faster dynamics of disease symptoms relief (p=0.003) was noted, which allows us to conclude that it is highly effective in the treatment of allergic diseases associated with food sensitization.


Author(s):  
Shuo Wang ◽  
Yuan Wei ◽  
Luyan Liu ◽  
Zailing Li

Regulating the composition of human breastmilk has the potential to prevent allergic diseases early in life. The composition of breastmilk is complex, comprising varying levels of oligosaccharides, immunoactive molecules, vitamins, metabolites, and microbes. Although several studies have examined the relationship between different components of breastmilk and infant food allergies, few have investigated the relationship between microorganisms in breastmilk and infant food allergy. In the present study, we selected 135 healthy pregnant women and their full-term newborns from a cohort of 202 mother–infant pairs. Among them, 69 infants were exclusively breastfed until 6 mo after birth. At follow-up, 11 of the 69 infants developed a food allergy in infancy while 22 showed no signs of allergy. Thirty-three breastmilk samples were collected within 1 mo after delivery, and 123 infant fecal samples were collected at five time points following their birth. These samples were analyzed using microbial 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The abundance and evenness of the milk microbiota and the number of differential bacteria were higher in the breastmilk samples from the non-allergy group than in those from the food allergy group. The non-allergy group showed relatively high abundance of Bifidobacterium, Akkermansia, Clostridium IV, Clostridium XIVa, Veillonella, and butyrate-producing bacteria such as Fusobacterium, Lachnospiraceae incertae sedis, Roseburia, and Ruminococcus. In contrast, the abundance of Proteobacteria, Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas in breastmilk was higher in the food allergy group. A comparison of the changes in dominant differential breastmilk microbiota in the intestinal flora of the two groups of infants over time revealed that the changes in Bifidobacterium abundance were consistent with those in the breastmilk flora. Functional pathway prediction of breastmilk microflora showed that the enhancement of the metabolic pathways of tyrosine, tryptophan, and fatty acids was significantly different between the groups. We suggest that changes in the breastmilk microbiota can influence the development of food allergies. Breastmilk contains several microbes that have protective effects against food allergies, both by influencing the colonization of intestinal microbiota and by producing butyrate. This study may provide new ideas for improving infant health through early intervention with probiotics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Youssef A. Alqahtani ◽  
Ayed A. Shati ◽  
Ahmad A. Alhanshani ◽  
Bayan M. Hanif ◽  
Eman S. Salem ◽  
...  

Background: Food allergy (FA) is increasingly recognized with the highest prevalence in preschool children; there has been a significant increase in hospital admissions for systemic allergic diseases with anaphylaxis and food allergies. Hospital admissions for food allergy were noticed to rise from 6 to 41 per million between 1990 and 2000 worldwide . The prevalence of food allergy is increasing over time with significant geographic variations. It is estimated to affect 6% of children in the United States (USA); according to a study conducted in Makkah, by AL Mokarmah, the prevalence of FA among children attending the well-baby clinic was 22.5% and in Riyadh is 6% among children who visit the allergy clinic at King Khalid University Hospital. FA in children is usually caused by milk (2.5%), egg (1.3%), peanut (0.8%), tree nuts (0.2%), fish (0.1%), as well as shellfish (0.1%), with an overall prevalence of 6%. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a self-administered questionnaire was used in the data collection. After data were collected, they were entered in the Statistical Software IBM SPSS version 22. Descriptive and inferential statistics were obtained. Results: Out of 980 mothers, 49% were suffering from food allergy, while 28.6% of their children were suffering from food allergy. Shellfish was the most common cause of food allergy (38%). Conclusion: The management of FA in children is improving through the acquisition of new knowledge in diagnosis and treatment. Education of physicians and food-allergic patients about FA and its treatment is becoming recognized as an unmet need. Key words: Food allergy, mother, children, knowledge, prevalence, factors


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
Antonella Cianferoni

Food allergies, defined as an immune response to food proteins, affect as many as 8% of young children and 2% of adults in western countries, and their prevalence appears to be rising like all allergic diseases. In addition to well-recognized urticaria and anaphylaxis triggered by IgE antibody– mediated immune responses, there is an increasing recognition of cell-mediated disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis and food protein–induced enterocolitis. Non-IgE-Mediated gastrointestinal food allergies are a heterogeneous group of food allergies in which there is an immune reaction against food but the primary pathogenesis is not a production of IgE and activation of mast cells and basophils. Those diseases tend to affect mainly the gastrointestinal tract and can present as acute (FPIES) or chronic reaction, such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis (FPIAP). The role of food allergy in Non-EoE gastrointestinal Eosinophilic disorders (Non- EoE EGID) is poorly understood. In some diseases like EoE, T cell seems to play a major role in initiating the immunological reaction against food, however, in FPIES and FPIAP, the mechanism of sensitization is not clear. Diagnosis requires food challenges and/or endoscopies in most of the patients, as there are no validated biomarkers that can be used for monitoring or diagnosis of Non-IgE mediated food allergies. The treatment of Non-IgE food allergy is dependent on diet (FPIES, and EoE) and/or use of drugs (i.e. steroids, PPI) in EoE and Non-EoE EGID. Non-IgE mediated food allergies are being being investigated.


Nutrients ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Caffarelli ◽  
Dora Di Mauro ◽  
Carla Mastrorilli ◽  
Paolo Bottau ◽  
Francesca Cipriani ◽  
...  

The rise of food allergy in childhood, particularly among developed countries, has a significant weight on public health and involves serious implications for patients’ quality of life. Even if the mechanisms of food tolerance and the complex interactions between the immune system and environmental factors are still mainly unknown, pediatricians have worldwide implemented preventive measures against allergic diseases. In the last few decades, the prevention of food allergy has tracked various strategies of complementary feeding with a modification of international guidelines from delayed introduction to early weaning. Current evidence shows that complementary foods, including allergenic ones, should be introduced into diet after four months, or even better, following World Health Organization advice, around six months irrespective of risk for allergy of the individual. The introduction of peanut is recommended before 12 months of age among infants affected by severe eczema and/or egg allergy to diminish the occurrence of peanut allergy in countries with high peanut consumption. The introduction of heated egg at 6–8 months of age may reduce egg allergy. Infants at high risk of allergy similarly to healthy children should introduce complementary foods taking into account family and cultural preferences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16
Author(s):  
Ayşen Genç Aksoy ◽  
Perran Boran ◽  
Elif Karakoc-Aydiner ◽  
Gulbin Gokcay ◽  
Zeynep Ulker Tamay ◽  
...  

Background: The prevalence of allergic disorders is on the rise, affecting about 10% of the population. In this retrospective cohort, we investigated prevalence of allergic disorders, associated risk factors, and the outcome of food allergies.  Material and methods: We analyzed data from birth cohorts of two university hospitals’ well-child outpatient clinics. Factors related to onset and type of allergic diseases were assessed from demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical data.  Results: Analyses were performed on 949 (431F/518M) infants at a mean current age of 28±6 months. Any allergic disease was established among 177 cases (22%); atopic dermatitis in 123 (12.8%), respiratory allergies in 55 (5.7%), and food allergy in 41 (4.3%). The risk for allergic disorders was found to be significantly increased for male gender (OR: 2.31, 95% CI; 1.54–3.46), and positive parental atopy (OR: 1.94, 95% CI; 1.31–2.86). The risk of food allergies was significantly higher in the male gender (OR: 2.47, 95% CI; 1.21–5.02), who consumed egg-white between 6 and 12 months (OR: 2.34, 95% CI; 1.22–4.48), and who were formula-fed before 6 months (OR: 2.16, 95% CI; 1.14–4.10). We found no significant association between the rate of food allergy outgrowth or food induced-anaphylaxis with regards to the timing of introducing egg-white into the diet.  Conclusions: Although the introduction of egg-white into infant diet at 6–12 months of life appeared as an independent risk for any food allergy, none of the patients developed anaphylaxis. Age at symptom onset and outgrowing food allergy were similar compared to those introduced egg-white after 12 months. We recommend promoting exclusive breastfeeding during the first 6 months of life, and avoidance of prolonged restrictive diets for children with food allergy.   


2006 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 199-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miloš Jeseňák ◽  
Peter Bánovčin

Atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome (AEDS) is one of the most common chronic allergic diseases in children. Among the allergens found to be relevant in AEDS, aeroallergens and food allergens are the most important. The exposure of these patients to their relevant protein allergens can trigger an exacerbation or maintain the disease. AEDS is frequently associated with food allergy, which complicates the management in approximately 40% of these children. Atopy patch test (APT) can help in detecting food allergies in children with AEDS. The earliest publication on patch testing in eczema was described in 1937 by Rostenberg, but the first controlled clinical trial was provided by Mitchell in 1982. APT with food allergens were introduced into clinical use in 1996 by the group of Isolauri. APT test is performed epicutaneously with typical immediate-type allergens (aeroallergens or foods). As a number of apparently minor test modifications greatly influence the sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the APT, the European Task Force on Atopic Dermatitis (ETFAD) has developed a standardized APT technique. APT has developed into a valuable additional tool in the diagnostic work-up of food allergy in infants and children with atopic dermatitis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105
Author(s):  
Antonella Cianferoni

: Food allergies, defined as an immune response to food proteins, affect as many as 8% of young children and 2% of adults in western countries, and their prevalence appears to be rising like all allergic diseases. In addition to well-recognized urticaria and anaphylaxis triggered by IgE antibody– mediated immune responses, there is an increasing recognition of cell-mediated disorders, such as eosinophilic esophagitis and food protein–induced enterocolitis. Non-IgE-Mediated gastrointestinal food allergies are a heterogeneous group of food allergies in which there is an immune reaction against food but the primary pathogenesis is not a production of IgE and activation of mast cells and basophils. : Those diseases tend to affect mainly the gastrointestinal tract and can present as acute (FPIES) or chronic reaction, such as Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), Food Protein-Induced Allergic Proctocolitis (FPIAP). The role of food allergy in Non-EoE gastrointestinal Eosinophilic disorders (Non- EoE EGID) is poorly understood. : In some diseases like EoE, T cell seems to play a major role in initiating the immunological reaction against food, however, in FPIES and FPIAP, the mechanism of sensitization is not clear. : Diagnosis requires food challenges and/or endoscopies in most of the patients, as there are no validated biomarkers that can be used for monitoring or diagnosis of Non-IgE mediated food allergies. : The treatment of Non-IgE food allergy is dependent on diet (FPIES, and EoE) and/or use of drugs (i.e. steroids, PPI) in EoE and Non-EoE EGID. : Non-IgE mediated food allergies are being being investigated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-163
Author(s):  
Jodi Shroba ◽  
Susan McElroy

Rationale: Food allergy education is often directed toward adult caregivers. However, once children go to school, they must participate in their food allergy care to remain safe. The purpose of this study was to assess food allergy knowledge and test an educational intervention targeted toward the child. We hypothesized that child-based teaching will be equal in safety and knowledge outcomes compared with standard parental education. Methods: Twenty-nine children between the ages of 5‐11 years and their caregivers were enrolled. Child subjects completed a food allergy knowledge questionnaire. Each caregiver/child dyad was randomized to receive parent-targeted education (control) or child-targeted education (treatment) and was given an educational booklet. Six weeks later, the child completed the same knowledge questionnaire. At the end of the semester, the caregivers were asked to report allergic reactions that occurred at school. Results: There were no differences between the groups on age or type of school attended. All the subjects demonstrated a statistically significant increase in allergy knowledge from time 1 (completion of survey 1) to time 2 (completion of survey 2) (t = ‐6.301; p < 0.001) There was no difference in knowledge between the groups at time 2 (t = ‐1.782; p = 0.089) and no difference between the groups on allergic reactions during the study period (χ2 = 2.33; p = 0.13). Conclusion: This pilot study, with a small sample size, demonstrated that child-based education was comparable with education targeted toward caregivers, with no difference in allergic events. Children can take an active role in education and management of their food allergies at school.


Author(s):  
S.Yu. Petrova ◽  
S.V. Khlgatian ◽  
V.M. Berzhets ◽  
L.A. Pishchulina ◽  
A.V. Vasilyeva

ПЕТРОВАС.Ю.1,ХЛГАТЯН С.В.1,БЕРЖЕЦ ВАЛЕНТИНА МИХАЙЛОВНА1,ПИЩУЛИНАЛ.А.1,ВАСИЛЬЕВАА.В.1 1ФГБНУ НИИВС им. И.И. Мечникова Цель. Изучить структуру сенсибилизации к пищевым аллергенам у детей в Москве и Московской области и определить в ней место сенсибилизации к белкам молока. Материалы и методы. Методом RIDA AllergyScreen регистрировали концентрацию и класс аллерген-специфических IgE в сыворотках крови детей с IgE-опосредованными аллергическими заболеваниями. Исследовали сыворотки детей с высоким титром аллерген-специфических IgE к белкам - аллергенам молока. Выявляли уровень и соотношение аллерген-специфических IgE к отдельным аллергенам молока. Результаты. Определена структура сенсибилизации к пищевым аллергенам. Выявлено, что аллергены коровьего молока являются ведущими триггерами пищевой аллергии, особенно в раннем детском возрасте, в Москве и Московской области. Проанализированы особенности сенсибилизации к белкам коровьего молока у детей. Заключение. По данным исследования, около половины детей с IgE-опосредованной пищевой аллергией в Москве и Московской области имеют сенсибилизацию к белкам коровьего молока. Ведущая роль по частоте встречаемости сенсибилизации принадлежит сывороточным белкам молока. Из них наиболее часто выявляли сенсибилизацию к а-лактальбумину. Обсуждены вопросы подбора гипоаллергенных молочных смесей при аллергии к белкам коровьего молока у детей.Identification of offending allergens in patients with food allergy is a very important part of an allergists activity. Objective. To study the structure оf sensitization to food allergens among children in Moscow and Moscow region and to determine the significance of sensitization to milk proteins . Methods. The level and class of specific IgE in blood serum of children with IgEmediated allergic diseases were examined with RIDA AllergyScreen method. Serum of children with high level of specific IgE to milk allergenic proteins was studied. The level and ratio of specific IgE to individual milk allergens were revealed. Results. The structure of sensitization to food allergens was determined. It was revealed that cows milk allergens are the leading triggers of food allergy, especially in early childhood in Moscow and the Moscow region. The features of sensitization to cows milk proteins among children were analyzed. Conclusions. According to the study, about half of children with IgEmediated food allergies in Moscow and the Moscow region have sensitization to cows milk proteins. The leading role in the frequency of sensitization belongs to whey proteins of milk. Among them sensitization to а-lactalbumin was detected more often. The questions about the selection of hypoallergenic milk formulas for feeding of children with allergy to cows milk proteins were discussed.


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