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Food Allergies

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Pediatrician's Guide to Discussing Research with Patients

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Abstract

Food allergies affect anywhere between 2 and 8% of children in the United States, with symptoms ranging from mildly irritating to life-threatening. There are currently no evidence-based cures for food allergies; medical interventions are limited to food avoidance and symptom management. Fears of anaphylaxis and vigilance to adequately avoid offending foods results in a decrease in Quality of Life among food-allergic children and their parents. Parents who cannot differentiate between the symptoms of food allergies and food sensitivities may restrict their children’s diet without seeking the help of a specialist to first establish if an allergy is present. Research has confirmed that growth concerns are warranted when children are allergic to (and therefore avoid) foods with key nutrients. Consequently, children should only avoid foods when a true allergy is present. Pediatricians are encouraged to provide referrals when the etiology of a child’s symptoms is unclear. The misconception that young children are at highest risk of anaphylaxis is addressed to increase and refine interventions with adolescents. The science behind the practice of school-wide peanut bans is reviewed. We also discuss current guidelines for reducing the likelihood of food allergy formation in genetically at risk children through breastfeeding and timing the introduction of common allergenic foods into an infant’s diet.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Child Study Center, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA

    Christina A. Di Bartolo

  2. Department of Pediatrics, The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York, USA

    Maureen K. Braun

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  1. Christina A. Di Bartolo
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Correspondence to Christina A. Di Bartolo .

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Di Bartolo, C.A., Braun, M.K. (2017). Food Allergies. In: Pediatrician's Guide to Discussing Research with Patients. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49547-7_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49547-7_8

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