Top 8 developments in food allergy research

Recent food allergy research data have included the development of food allergy involving peach allergens, how inner-city asthmatic children born in winter had increased food allergy risk, and how cow’s milk allergy affected asthma risk in children.

Here are eight study highlights presented in Healio Allergy/Immunology:

1. Cow’s milk allergy affected fatty acids, asthma risk in children

Serum fatty acid proportions and asthma risk differed between young children with cow’s milk allergy and those without, according to study results.

Mirka Lumia

“Reported CMA [cow’s milk allergy] and maternal and paternal asthma or allergic rhinitis were associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma by age 5 years,” Mirka Lumia, MD, a pediatrician and neonatologist, and colleagues reported. Read more

2. Detectable IgE to cow’s milk prolonged risk for FPIES in children

Although most cases of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) resolved in children by age 5 years, the presence of detectable specific IgE to cow’s milk was a risk factor for prolonged reaction.

“FPIES is an underrecognized non-IgE-mediated food allergy that most commonly affects infants and is usually caused by cow’s milk, soy, rice and oat,” study researchers concluded. “Our data suggest that introduction of milk formula, soy formula, or both within the first weeks of life is an important risk factor for development of FPIES to milk, soy or both.” Read more

3. Peach allergens highlight EAACI congress research

The development of food allergy involving peach allergens was among the research topics presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology annual congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The study, conducted at the Centre for Biotechnology and Plant Genomics of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, examined the capacity of a food allergen from peaches to cross the intestinal barrier. The interaction between the protein Pru p 3, the main peach allergen, and the intestinal epithelium was investigated.

“The results obtained represent a step toward clarifying the importance of Pru p 3 as a sensitizer,” researcher Cristina Gomez Casado, PhD, said. Read more

4. Food allergy risk greater among inner-city asthmatic children born in winter

Inner-city asthmatic children born in winter had a significant association with food allergen sensitization risk when adjusted for vitamin D, according to recent study results.

“Our data suggest an important role between season of birth and the development of food allergen sensitization,” the researchers concluded. “In addition to vitamin D status, other factors may affect the development of sensitivity for an infant born during winter, including exposure to winter viruses, global geographic location and indoor allergen exposure.” Read more

5. Food allergies inhibit dietary variety among adolescents

Clinicians should be vigilant that food allergies may inhibit dietary varieties in adolescents, researchers suggested.

Isolde Sommer

“Adolescence is the period when parental control diminishes and teenagers exercise increased autonomy over their food choices,” Isolde Sommer, PhD, of the School of Health and Sciences and Social Work at the University of Portsmouth in the UK, and colleagues wrote. With Perspective. Read more

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6. Children with negative food challenge results failed to add tested food into diet

More than 25% of children who had a negative result to an oral food challenge test did not introduce the challenged food into their diet, according to research presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology annual congress in Copenhagen, Denmark.

“The most significant risk factor for failure of introduction was when patients experienced allergic reactions during introduction,” the researchers concluded. Read more

7. Parental perception of food allergy high among preschool-aged children

The prevalence of parental-perceived food allergy in preschool-aged children appears to be significantly high, suggesting that disease burden impacts quality of life and requires additional prevention strategies.

“The current study estimated a lifetime prevalence of parental-perceived allergic reactions to food of 10.8% and current prevalence of 5.7%,” João Gaspar-Marques, MD, of the Hospital de Dona Estefânia in Lisbon, Portugal, and colleagues wrote in the report. “Data on [food allergy] surveys in infants and preschool-age children are scarce, in contrast to that for other allergic diseases.” Read more

8. Food allergies were not associated with asthma severity in children

Food allergies were not associated with asthma severity among children and adolescents with asthma, according to data presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Sandeep Puranik

Sandeep Puranik, MBBS, DCH, MD,chief resident in the department of pediatrics at the Flushing Hospital Medical Center, New York, and colleagues conducted a retrospective review of 104 children (aged 0 to 18 years) treated at the hospital’s Ambulatory Care Clinic from October 2012 to 2013. Read more