Food allergy common in children post-transplant

Developing a food allergy post-transplant was common among children who underwent combined liver and intestinal transplant, according to data presented at the 2015 North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition Annual Meeting.

“Food allergies are reported after transplantation of solid organs in children,” the researchers wrote. “While most reports are from liver transplants, allergies are reportedly increased in other transplant groups, suggesting that the phenomenon may be related to immunosuppression.”

Using MINITAB software (Minitab Inc. State College), researchers from MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, evaluated food allergy in children after liver transplant and compared them with other children who underwent intestinal transplant and combined liver and intestinal transplant. The comparison was used to “ascertain whether either organ has a greater impact on development of food allergy,” according to the researchers.

According to data extracted and examined from the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital database, between 2003 and 2014, there were 142 isolated liver transplants, 38 isolated intestinal transplants and 59 combined liver and intestinal transplants performed. Of these patients, 9.9% who underwent liver transplant (n = 14), 13.2% who underwent isolated intestinal transplant (n = 5) and 13.6% who underwent combined transplant (n = 8) showed a prevalence of food allergy. However, there was no statistical significance between the three groups of patients with food allergies.

The researchers concluded: “Food allergies are increased amongst patients undergoing liver or intestinal transplant. Patients who have undergone a combined liver-intestine transplant appear to have similar prevalence to the isolated intestine patients suggesting that immunosuppression, rather than any particular organs, confers the risk for food allergy.”

Reference:

Khan K, et al. Abstract 326. Presented at: 2015 NASPGHAN Annual Meeting; Oct. 7-11; Washington, D.C.

Disclosures: Khan reports no relevant financial disclosures.