Tackling Food Allergy in Infancy

Abstract

Atopic dermatitis and food allergy are the most common allergic conditions affecting the infant population. Both immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated and non-IgE-mediated food allergy are seen in infancy. Early life feeding guidelines have changed dramatically over the past 30 years, more recently because of an improved understanding of IgE-mediated food allergy. This article focuses on identification, diagnosis, management, and prevention of food allergy in the infant population.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; Food allergy; Infancy; Oral food challenge; Prevention.

Figure 1.

Algorithm proposed for approach to patients with moderate-severe AD and concern about potential food trigger. From Bergmann MM et al. Evaluation of food allergy in patients with atopic dermatitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2013;1(1):25; with permission. (Figure 1 in original)

Figure 2.

Algorithm proposed for approach to infants with an adverse food reaction following breastfeeding. From Rajani PS et al. Presentation and Management of Food Allergy in Breastfed Infants and Risks of Maternal Elimination Diets. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020;8(1):61; with permission. (Figure 2 in original)

Figure 3.

Status of interventions for the primary prevention of food allergy in infancy. From Bird JA et al. Prevention of food allergy: Beyond peanut. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2019;143(2):546; with permission. (Figure 1 in original)