Maternal and Infant Dietary Patterns Are Not Related to Food Allergy Risk in Singapore Children: GUSTO Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported that delayed allergenic food introduction in infancy did not increase food allergy risk until age 4 y within our prospective cohort. However, it remains unclear whether other aspects of maternal or infant diet play roles in the development of childhood food allergy. OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between maternal pregnancy and infant dietary patterns and the development of food allergies until age 8 y. METHODS: Among 1152 Singapore Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes study mother-infant dyads, the infant's diet was ascertained using food frequency questionnaires at 18 mo. Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy were derived from 24-h diet recalls. Food allergy was determined through interviewer-administered questionnaires at regular time points from infancy to age 8 y and defined as a positive history of allergic reactions, alongside skin prick tests at 18 mo, 3, 5, and 8 y. RESULTS: Food allergy prevalence was 2.5% (22/883) at 12 mo and generally decreased over time by 8 y (1.9%; 14/736). Higher maternal dietary quality was associated with increased risk of food allergy (P ≤ 0.016); however, odds ratios were modest. Offspring food allergy risk ≤8 y showed no associations with measures of infant diet including timing of solids/food introduction (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.90; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.42, 1.92), infant's diet quality (aOR: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.99) or diet diversity (aOR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.19). Most infants (89%) were first introduced to cow milk protein within the first month of life, while egg and peanut introduction were delayed (58.3% introduced by mean age 8.8 mo and 59.8% by mean age 18.1 mo, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Apart from maternal diet quality showing a modest association, infant's allergenic food introduction, diet quality, and dietary diversity were not associated with food allergy development in this Asian pediatric population. Interventional studies are needed to evaluate the efficacy of these approaches to food allergy prevention across different populations.

Practical algorithms for managing common gastrointestinal symptoms in infants.

OBJECTIVE: In early infancy, various gastrointestinal symptoms (e.g., constipation, regurgitation, crying/fussiness, infantile colic, and excessive gas) are common problems and may result in numerous visits to pediatricians. Worldwide, this often results in switching infant formulas because parents (and sometimes doctors) believe these symptoms reflect a formula intolerance. However, in many cases, these infants are growing and developing normally. This study was performed to offer family pediatricians consensus-based algorithms on the management of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms in infants. METHODS: A group of pediatric gastroenterologists and pediatric allergists from Europe, USA, Latin America, and Asia developed guidelines and practical algorithms to assist general pediatricians in addressing this challenge. RESULTS: Five such practice recommendations were developed after a thorough literature review. These algorithms should not be considered as an "evidence-based guideline"; on the contrary, the authors are convinced that challenging these proposals will result in updated and improved versions. CONCLUSION: To date, these algorithms, based on the published literature, are the result of a broad consensus of pediatric gastroenterologists from different continents.