Implementation of an Allergic Reaction Reporting Tool for School Health Personnel: A Pilot Study of Three Chicago Schools.

Food allergy (FA) impacts 8% of U.S. children, thus it is critical to document allergic reactions to assist schools in managing FAs. We implemented and evaluated an online tool to assist school health personnel in tracking the characteristics of allergic reactions occurring at schools. The Online School Allergic Reaction Registry (OScARR) was modified from the Epinephrine Administration Form developed by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, adapted for integration into existing school health records, and implemented in three Chicago schools during the 2016-2017 school year. All allergic reactions occurring at participating schools were recorded by school nurses. Twenty-five percent of the 20 allergic reactions reported were characterized as anaphylaxis by school nurses. School nurses reported that they would recommend OScARR for use in other schools. Detailed data obtained from three Chicago schools underscore the importance of proper documentation to improve the understanding of the causative allergen and location and management of allergic reactions in schools.

Food allergy response capabilities of mothers and related factors.

A parent's ability to confidently manage a child's food allergy (i.e. food allergy response capability) is considered instrumental toward treating this disorder; however, little is known regarding this measure and associated factors. A questionnaire survey among 280 qualified participants identified the greatest food allergy response capability as "spousal collaboration", followed by "elimination diet capacity", "gathering information from medical professionals", "knowledge about food allergies", and "stress coping". These capabilities were associated with maternal and household health status, food items eliminated and their number, anaphylaxis experience, and type of medical facility used. This measure represented a predictor of maternal quality of life and health status, household health status, and overall life stress (not related to childrearing). Thus, to improve food allergy response capability, multidisciplinary cooperation and support are required from professionals, such as physicians, nurses, nutritionists, and clinical psychologists. Nurses in particular must take an interest in the situations these mothers face and in their emotions; elicit their power to cope with stress; provide knowledge about food allergies; provide individualized, specific information about elimination diets; and conduct interventions to enable spousal cooperation.

Gluten-Related Disorders: Celiac Disease, Gluten Allergy, Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity.

Gluten is a protein complex found in the endosperm portion of wheat, rye, and barley. "Gluten-related disorder" is a term used to describe conditions related to ingestion of gluten-containing foods. Gluten has been implicated as the cause of a variety of gastrointestinal (GI) and extraintestinal symptoms. These symptoms are often non-specific and variable, making it difficult for the primary care provider to diagnose the cause and develop a management plan. Recently, gluten-related disorders have received much attention in the popular press, and the sale of gluten-free foods has become a multi-billion dollar business. It is important for pediatric primary care providers to understand the potential role of gluten in GI health and symptomatology so appropriate screening, diagnostic testing, and management can be provided.

Living ordinary family life with an allergic child-the mother's perspective.

Ecocultural theory considering family as an entity may serve as a new point of view instead of "impact of disease"-perspective. Aims were to reveal ecocultural themes and activities of daily routines in the treatment of a child's food allergy and eczema. Interviews (N=24) were held with mothers with allergic children aged 12 months and mothers repeat interviews at 24 months. The theme; "living an ordinary family life", was implemented across the family activities of routines essential for treating the child's allergy. New or altered treatment regimens can be tailored to families on the basis of existing activities.

Mothers' perceptions of factors affecting their abilities to care for infants with allergy.

AIM: To identify mothers' perceptions of the supporting or straining factors involved in motherhood generally and in relation to child's atopic dermatitis and food allergy at the age of 1-2 years. BACKGROUND: The main person who cares for a child in the early years of life is usually the mother. Information on mothers' perceptions of factors affecting their resources to care for their healthy or allergic children is incomplete and needs to be identified. DESIGN: A descriptive qualitative study with semi-structured interviews. METHOD: Altogether 32 interviews with mothers having a one-year-old healthy or allergic child and repeat interviews with mothers of allergic children aged two years were conducted. Deductive content analysis was applied, based on the concept of empowerment and an empowerment model for family nursing. RESULTS: A child's food allergy at the age of one year caused considerable strain for the mother, chiefly because the adoption of new foods into the child's diet was delayed, and waking at night because of itching related to atopic dermatitis. This delay was still causing the mother additional strain, when the child was two years old. Specific allergy-related strengthening factors were the mother's own knowledge, hope for an improvement, social support and work. CONCLUSIONS: This qualitative study succeeded in identifying strain situations for mothers with one- and two-year-old allergic children. Such mothers should be recognised and provided with individual support by nurses and healthcare professionals to focus on the supporting factors. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Mothers of allergic children should be recognised. An inquiry or questionnaire based on personal abilities and the family's internal and external capabilities may contribute to identifying these mothers. Mothers should be provided with individual encouragement and support from mother and child health clinics by focusing on factors felt to be strengthening ones.

The psychosocial impact of life-threatening childhood food allergies.

The purpose of this integrated literature review was to bring understanding to medical professionals of the psychosocial impact of parenting a child with life-threatening food allergies. Prevalence of life-threatening food allergy among children is increasing, and families continue to navigate the effects it can have on all members of a family. A comprehensive literature review was performed related to chronic childhood illnesses and life-threatening food allergies. Commonalities among the conditions exist related to stress, coping, and adaptive responses when parental perceptions and experiences are considered. This information may provide a conceptual context for the adaptation process involved with parenting a young child with life-threatening food allergies, revealing areas where nursing can serve to intervene and support this process.

Research to practice: developing an integrated anaphylaxis education curriculum for school nurses.

The numbers of school-aged children with life-threatening allergies that cause anaphylaxis continues to increase. Many states, including Washington, have responded to this by developing specific guidelines for school districts to follow in order to provide a safe learning environment for children with medical conditions that put them at risk for anaphylaxis. School nurses require resources to assist them in providing health training for school staff on how to manage potentially life-threatening health conditions for children in their school, however, resources to address this training are limited. A search for and content analysis of currently available literature and resources about anaphylaxis and anaphylaxis training curricula revealed a lack of an integrated curriculum to train school staff. This article presents a discussion of the development of a train-the-trainer anaphylaxis education program providing school nurses with curriculum, lesson plans, teaching-learning activities, and resources for anaphylaxis education of all school staff.

Food allergy education for school nurses: a needs assessment survey by the consortium of food allergy research.

Food allergy is increasing in school-age children. School nurses are a primary health care resource for children with food allergy and must be prepared to manage allergen avoidance and respond in the event of an allergic reaction. An anonymous survey was administered to school nurses attending their association meetings to determine their educational needs regarding children with food allergy. With 199 school nurses responding, their self-reported proficiency for critical areas of food allergy knowledge and management varied, with weaknesses identified particularly for emergency plan development, staff education, delegation, developing guidelines for banning foods and planning school trips. Nurses reported a high interest in obtaining educational materials in these areas and prefer video and Internet resources that could be promoted through professional organizations.