Hypoallergenicity and efficacy of an amino acid-based formula in children with cow's milk and multiple food hypersensitivities.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the hypoallergenicity and efficacy of a pediatric amino acid-based formula (AAF), EleCare, for children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) and multiple food allergies (MFA). STUDY DESIGN: Hypoallergenicity was determined by performing blinded oral food challenges in 31 consecutive children with documented CMA. Growth, tolerance, and biochemical response were evaluated during a nonrandomized feeding study with each child serving as his or her own control. RESULTS: Thirty-one children (median age, 23.3 months; range, 6 months to 17.5 years) were recruited; 29 had MFA, 17 had acute reactions and cow's milk-specific IgE antibody, and 14 had allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis. At study entry, 23 were receiving another AAF; 13 had not tolerated extensively hydrolyzed formula. Eighteen subjects with allergic eosinophilic gastroenteritis and/or MFA were followed up while receiving AAF for a median of 21 months (range, 7 to 40 months), with biochemical analysis performed at 4 months. No statistically significant differences were observed in the change in weight or height National Center for Health Statistics z scores from entry; the percent of expected growth exceeded 90%. There was a small decline in percent eosinophils and increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, and serum ferritin level (P < .05). Except for small increases in plasma leucine and valine levels (P < or = .006), the remaining biochemical markers were unchanged. CONCLUSIONS: The AAF was hypoallergenic and effective in maintaining normal growth for children with CMA and MFA.

The US Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy Registry: characteristics of reactions in schools and day care.

OBJECTIVE: Severe food-allergic reactions occur in schools, but the features have not been described. STUDY DESIGN: Participants in the US Peanut and Tree Nut Allergy Registry (PAR) who indicated that their child experienced an allergic reaction in school or day care were randomly selected for a telephone interview conducted with a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Of 4586 participants in the PAR, 750 (16%) indicated a reaction in school or day care, and 100 subjects or parental surrogates described 124 reactions to peanut (115) or tree nuts (9); 64% of the reactions occurred in day care or preschool, and the remainder in elementary school or higher grades. Reactions were reported from ingestion (60%), skin contact/possible ingestion (24%), and inhalation/possible skin contact or ingestion (16%). In the majority of reactions caused by inhalation, concomitant ingestion/skin contact could not be ruled out. Various foods caused reactions by ingestion, but peanut butter craft projects were commonly responsible for the skin contact (44%) or inhalation (41%) reactions. For 90% of reactions, medications were given (86% antihistamines, 28% epinephrine). Epinephrine was given in school by teachers in 4 cases, nurses in 7, and parents or others in the remainder. Treatment delays were attributed to delayed recognition of reactions, calling parents, not following emergency plans, and an unsuccessful attempt to administer epinephrine. CONCLUSIONS: School personnel must be educated to recognize and treat food-allergic reactions. Awareness must be increased to avoid accidental exposures, including exposure from peanut butter craft projects.

Clinical features of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical characteristics of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES), a symptom complex of severe vomiting and diarrhea occurring several hours after the ingestion of particular food proteins in infants. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of a referral population. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had typical FPIES; 11 reacted to milk, 11 to soy, and 7 to both. Mean age at diagnosis was 7 weeks for milk reactivity and 8 weeks for soy reactivity. Two patients also had rice- and pea-induced FPIES. Among 14 patients who were followed up for a median period of 25 months, loss of sensitivity to milk occurred in 6 of 10 patients and loss of sensitivity to soy occurred in 2 of 8. Six additional cases of FPIES were considered atypical: 1 patient had late-onset disease caused by poultry, and in 5 patients IgE antibody to milk or soy developed. During supervised food challenges with milk and soy, the peripheral blood neutrophil count rose over 3500 cells/mm3 in 9 of 10 positive challenges and did not rise above this value in the 7 negative challenges. Emergency treatment was required in 62% of challenges. CONCLUSIONS: Although most patients with FPIES are infants reactive to milk and/or soy, this diagnosis should be considered in older children and for other foods. Food-specific IgE sensitivity may develop in some patients. Standardized food challenges are helpful for diagnosis and follow-up.