Abstract | BACKGROUND: Children with diagnosed nut allergy are typically advised by health professionals to exclude all nuts from their diets, irrespective of the outcome of allergy testing, to avoid inadvertent contact through contamination or the possible development of new allergies. METHODS: In our service, as we feel greater diagnostic accuracy prevents dietary risk taking, we provide the facility for children with nut allergy the opportunity of controlled exposure to 'other' nuts irrespective of whether their allergy prick test (PT) results are positive or negative. We performed open food challenges on our paediatric day ward. The challenge food was administered by way of a homemade biscuit containing 8 g of each nut challenged and given in increasing visually measured doses. RESULTS: Over the 5-year period from 2006, we challenged 145 children diagnosed as peanut allergic or tree nut allergic. In those with peanut allergy challenged to tree nuts, none of the 72 with negative PTs to tree nuts reacted on challenge whilst 7 of 22 (31.2%) with positive PTs did. In patients with tree nut allergy challenged to peanuts and/or other tree nuts, 3 of 38 (7.9%) with negative PT results and 5 of 13 (38.4%) with positive PT results reacted. CONCLUSION:
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Authors | Heidi Ball, David Luyt, Kristian Bravin, Kerrie Kirk |
Journal | Pediatric allergy and immunology : official publication of the European Society of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology
(Pediatr Allergy Immunol)
Vol. 22
Issue 8
Pg. 808-12
(Dec 2011)
ISSN: 1399-3038 [Electronic] England |
PMID | 21929602
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Copyright | © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S. |
Topics |
- Administration, Oral
- Adolescent
- Arachis
(adverse effects, immunology)
- Bertholletia
(adverse effects, immunology)
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Cross Reactions
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Nut Hypersensitivity
(diagnosis, diet therapy, immunology)
- Retrospective Studies
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