A recent study offers secure recommendations for healthcare providers and parents who are helping kids conquer food allergies. Specialists compare this process to "preparing for a marathon."
Allergies to food among children can be incredibly daunting—every school lunch or birthday celebration might pose a significant health hazard. This constant worry greatly affects both kids and their parents, disrupting normal social activities as well as plans for outings and gatherings.
Researchers have developed the first comprehensive set of guidelines aimed at assisting families in gradually increasing their child's tolerance to prevalent food allergens.
This treatment, known as oral immunotherapy, entails administering tiny quantities of an allergen such as peanuts to kids and progressively boosting the dosage over time to enhance their resistance.
Up until this point, healthcare providers have lacked substantial evidence-based advice to offer parents conducting oral immunotherapy for their child. These updated guidelines aim to assist practitioners in establishing consistent protocols when collaborating with patients and caregivers, aiding children in conquering food allergies.
This groundbreaking study stands out in our field as it introduces an unprecedented method that hasn’t yet been standardized. There’s a pressing requirement for guidelines on managing oral immunotherapy,” stated Douglas Mack, a pediatric specialist from McMaster University in Canada and the primary author of the paper.
What is the prevalence of food allergies?
Approximately 4% of children and 1% of adults globally have received a diagnosis for this condition. food allergy However, the incidence is more common in Western nations, with 8% of young children and 4% of adults suffering from food allergies.
A child's meal might be toxic for another—peanut allergies are widespread in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia, whereas they are rare in Asia, where wheat , allergies to eggs and milk are the most prevalent.
Over the past twenty years, the incidence of food allergies has increased, leading scientists to believe this trend may be linked to heightened levels of hygiene and sanitization. It’s hypothesized that with reduced exposure to various microbes, children's immune systems might start reacting adversely to benign substances such as peanuts or milk. Additional contributing elements could involve insufficient Vitamin D intake and the age at which infants first encounter potential food allergens.
Many health authorities across different nations have indicated that infants ought to gradually encounter possible allergens to help prevent allergies from developing. It is recommended for families who have a history of food allergies to proceed under the supervision of a pediatrician when doing so.
Oral immunotherapy boasts a lengthy and effective track record for assisting children with pre-existing food allergies. Its origins trace back to 1908 when it was initially employed to desensitize a 13-year-old boy allergic to eggs. Starting at just one ten-thousandth of an egg daily, within half a year, he achieved safe consumption levels.
"We possess a therapy that has proven effective, with broad consensus among healthcare providers across various fields. Numerous studies are being conducted to explore numerous methods aimed at further refining these therapies to enhance their safety, decrease medical invasiveness, and increase accessibility," explained Julia Upton, a clinical immunologist from the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada.
Oral immunotherapy assists children in overcoming food allergies.
Oral immunotherapy programs may necessitate caregivers taking on roles akin to those of novice healthcare providers, closely monitoring for potentially hazardous exposures to allergens. It’s typical for kids to encounter side effects such as stomach discomfort or nausea.
Families should educate themselves about food allergies, anaphylaxis, immunotherapy, proper dosing of foods, signs to watch for, appropriate times to administer treatment, and instances requiring communication with healthcare providers, as stated by Upton to Pawonation.com.
As stated by the researchers, up to one-third of patients received no preparatory measures before beginning their treatments.
“If families aren’t ready for oral immunotherapy, they might either falter or make it dangerous. It’s crucial that these households administer the treatment daily without fail. This underscores the significance of these guidelines,” stated Mack from McMaster University.
Developing food tolerance is akin to running a marathon.
These guidelines are intended primarily for healthcare professionals instead of being directed at parents or caretakers. Consequently, it’s crucial for parents to collaborate with physicians so they can assist their children in overcoming food allergies in a safe and effective manner.
However, the research also provides valuable insights for those who care for others and for parents.
"It indicates significant consensus regarding crucial safety guidelines and anticipated results. For instance, asthma or reactive airways should be properly managed before and during immunotherapy, and various safety measures and dosage instructions must be adhered to," explained Upton.
Upton views the therapy as similar to training for a marathon; children require daily allergy practice sessions, and their tolerance would diminish significantly if they ceased all forms of oral immunotherapy completely.
"Many individuals with food allergies find that the improvement from immunotherapy depends on continuous exposure. Consequently, this frequently necessitates substantial guidance, making it particularly beneficial for families when there is broad consensus on this approach," explained Upton.
Edited by: Martin Kuebler
Sources:
D Mack, et al. 2024. Preparing Patients for Oral Immunotherapy (PPOINT): An international Delphi consensus on procedural preparation and informed consent. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2024.02.019
Initiate P, Chinthrajah RS, Nadeau KC. Oral immunotherapy as a treatment option for food allergies. Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics. 2014; doi:10.4161/hv.29233
Elghoudi A, Narchi H. The Current Status and Future Directions of Food Allergy in Children. World J Clin Pediatr. 2022; DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v11.i3.253
US Dietary guidelines 2020-2025
Author: Fred Schwaller
Post a Comment