Food allergies are increasing in the pediatric population. A review of the literature suggests that clinicians may lack knowledge about food allergy. Avoidance is currently the standard of care. As a result, managing these children and families is difficult. Clinicians must be knowledgeable in order to educate their patients. This article provides information for the pediatric provider concerning prevalence in children, pathophysiology, comorbidities, history and physical examination, diagnostic testing and referral, and educational and preventative strategies.
SichererSHSampsonHA. Peanut allergy: emerging concepts and approaches for an apparent epidemic. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120:491-503.
2.
WangJSampsonHA. Food allergy: recent advances in pathophysiology and treatment. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2009;1:19-29.
3.
SichererSHMunoz-FurlongAGodboldJSampsonHA. U.S. prevalence of self-reported peanut, tree nut, and sesame allergy: 11-year follow-up. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009;125:1322-1326.
4.
RonaRJKeilTSummersC. The prevalence of foodallergy: a meta-analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120:638-646.
GuptaRSSpringstonEEKimJS. Food allergy knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of primary care physicians. Pediatrics. 2010;125:126-132.
7.
ClarkSBockSAGaetaTJ. Multicenter study of emergency department visits for food allergies. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2004;113:347-352.
8.
CarlisleSKVargasPANooneS. Food allergy education for school nurses: a needs assessment survey by the consortium of food allergy research [published online ahead of print April 19, 2010]. J Sch Nurs. 2010;26:360-367.
9.
SkripakJMMatsuiECMuddKWoodRA. The natural history of IgE-mediated cow’s milk allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007;120:1172-1177.
10.
FleischerDMConover-WalkerMKMatsuiECWoodRA. The natural history of tree nut allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2005;115:1087-1093.
11.
MaloneyJMRudengrenMStaffanABockSASampsonHA. The use of serum-specific IgE measurements for the diagnosis of peanut, tree nut, and seed allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008;122:145-151.
12.
BirdJABurksAW. Food allergy and asthma. Prim Care Respir J. 2009;18:258-265.
13.
SichererSHSampsonHA. Food hypersensitivity and atopic dermatitis: pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, and management. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1999;104:114-122.
14.
HillDJHoskingCSde BenedictisFMOranjeAPDiepgenTLBauchauV. EPAAC Study Group. Confirmation of the association between high levels of immunoglobulin E food sensitization and eczema in infancy: an international study. Clin Exp Allergy. 2008;38:161-168.
Munoz-FurlongAWeissCC. Characteristics of food-allergic patients placing them at risk for a fatal anaphylactic episode. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2009;9:57-63.