Iberian consensus on cow's milk allergy: The CIBAL Study.

BACKGROUND: The present study explores the professional opinion of a wide range of experts from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) and their degree of consensus about CMPA's prevention, diagnosis, treatment and progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A 57-item survey divided in four blocks: Prevention (14 items), Diagnosis (10 items), Treatment (19 items) and Progression (14 items) was completed by 160 panellists, experts in CPMA management (116 Spain, 44 Portugal). Each one answered the questionnaire, formulated in Portuguese and Spanish, by individually accessing an online platform in two consecutive rounds. Five possible answers were possible: "completely agree", "agree", "neither agree nor disagree", "disagree" and "completely disagree". A modified Delphi method was used. RESULTS: Consensus (more than 66% agree) was reached in 39 items (68.4%) and Discrepancy (less than 50% agree) in nine items (15.7%). Block separated analysis offers valuable differences regarding consensus. The Prevention block only reached 50%; the Diagnosis block 90%; the Treatment block 73.68%, showing a high degree of agreement on dietary treatment (15/16 items), and discrepancy or less agreement on immunotherapy treatments. The Progression block reached 71.4% consensus with discrepancy with regard to the time to perform oral food challenge and negatives prognosis consequences of accidental milk ingestion. CONCLUSIONS: This study displays the current opinions of a wide group of experts on CMPA from the Iberian Peninsula and evidence discussion lines in CMPA management. The questions on which there were situations of discrepancy, provide us with very useful information for promoting new, rigorous research enabling us to draw conclusions on these controversial aspects.

Fluticasone in mild to moderate atopic dermatitis relapse: A randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The long-term efficacy of corticosteroids to prevent atopic dermatitis (AD) relapses has partially been addressed in children. This study compared an intermittent dosing regimen of fluticasone propionate (FP) cream 0.05% with its vehicle base in reducing the risk of relapse in children with stabilized AD. METHODS: A randomized controlled, multicentric, double-blind trial was conducted. Children (2-10 years) with mild/moderate AD (exclusion criteria: >30% affected body surface area and/or head) were enrolled into an Open-label Stabilization Phase (OSP) of up to 2 weeks on twice daily FP. Those who achieved treatment success entered the Double-blind Maintenance Phase (DMP). They were randomly allocated to receive FP or vehicle twice-weekly on consecutive days for 16 weeks. The primary study endpoint was relapse rate; time to relapse and severity of disease were also studied. Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated. RESULTS: Fifty-four patients (29 girls) entered the OSP (23 mild AD) and 49 (26 girls) continued into the DMP. Mean age was 5.5 (SD: 2.8) and 5.1 (SD: 2.3) yrs for FP and vehicle groups, respectively. Four patients withdrew from the DMP (two in every group). Patients treated with FP twice weekly had a 2.7 fold lower risk of experiencing a relapse than patients treated with vehicle (relative risk 2.72, SD: 1.28; p=0.034). FP was also superior to vehicle for delaying time to relapse. Both treatment therapies were well tolerated. CONCLUSION: This long-term study shows that twice weekly FP provides an effective maintenance treatment to control the risk of relapse in children with AD.

Position document: IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy.

The present document offers an update on the recommendations for managing patients with cow's milk allergy - a disorder that manifests in the first year of life, with an estimated prevalence of 1.6-3% in this paediatric age group. The main causal allergens are the caseins and proteins in lactoserum (beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactoalbumin), and the clinical manifestations are highly variable in terms of their presentation and severity. Most allergic reactions affect the skin, followed by the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems, and severe anaphylaxis may occur. The diagnosis of cow's milk allergy is based on the existence of a suggestive clinical history, a positive allergy study and the subsequent application of controlled exposure testing, which constitutes the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis. The most efficient treatment for cow's milk allergy is an elimination diet and the use of adequate substitution formulas. The elimination diet must include milk from other mammals (e.g., sheep, goat, etc.) due to the risk of cross-reactivity with the proteins of cow's milk. Most infants with IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy become tolerant in the first few years of life. In those cases where cow's milk allergy persists, novel treatment options may include oral immunotherapy, although most authors do not currently recommend this technique in routine clinical practice. Enough evidence is not there to confirm the efficacy of elimination diets in the mother and infant for preventing the appearance of cow's milk allergy. Likewise, no benefits have been observed with prebiotic and probiotic dietetic supplements in infants for preventing food allergy.

Safety and efficacy profile and immunological changes associated with oral immunotherapy for IgE-mediated cow's milk allergy in children: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Cow's milk allergy (CMA), one of the main types of childhood allergy, considerably impairs patient quality of life. Allergen avoidance is difficult, and mistakes are common. Therefore, new treatment strategies such as oral immunotherapy (OIT) have been sought for patients with CMA. Our objective was to review current evidence on immunological changes, efficacy, and safety when using OIT as an alternative to an avoidance diet in the treatment of children with IgE-mediated CMA. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and subsequent meta-analysis of all randomized controlled studies published to date in which OIT is used to treat CMA in children.We evaluated immunological effects, acquisition of desensitization, and adverse events. Immunological changes were examined by means of a meta-analysis of individual patient data. RESULTS: Desensitization using OIT to cow's milk is 10.2 times more likely than in non-0IT-treated patients. The decrease in cow's milk-specific IgE levels was found to differ by 8.1 kUA/L between OIT-treated patients and those on an avoidance diet. This difference was not statistically significant (P=.318). Although side effects are common, they usually involve mild reactions that are easy to manage without parenteral epinephrine. CONCLUSION: OIT can be considered safe and effective (in terms of acquiring desensitization) and reasonably safe (mild-to-moderate adverse events, little need for parenteral epinephrine) in patients with CMA. Although OIT leads to changes in cow's milk-specific IgE levels, the differences between OIT-treated and non-0IT-treated patients are not significant. More studies are needed to evaluate other immunological changes that may occur, such as the increase in IgG4 levels.

Leukotriene B4 and 8-isoprostane in exhaled breath condensate of children with episodic and persistent asthma.

BACKGROUND: Leukotrienes and isoprostanes are biomarkers of airway inflammation and oxidative stress that can be detected in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). The aim of this study was to evaluate leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and 8-isoprostane levels in EBC of healthy and asthmatic children with episodic and moderate persistent asthma. METHODS: EBC was collected from 62 children aged 6 to 14 years: 22 healthy children, 30 patients with episodic asthma, and 10 patients with moderate persistent asthma, without preventive treatment at the time of enrolment. RESULTS: LTB concentrations were higher in children with asthma than in healthy controls (50.7 pg/mL vs. 13.68 pg/mL, P < .011). The same was true for children with moderate persistent asthma compared to children with episodic asthma (146.9 pg/mL vs. 18.85 pg/mL, P < .0001), children with moderate persistent asthma compared to healthy controls (146.9 pg/mL vs. 13.68 pg/mL, P < .0001), and children with episodic asthma compared to healthy controls (P, nonsignificant). EBC concentrations of 8-isoprostane were higher in asthmatic than in healthy children (18.3 pg/mL vs. 6.59 pg/mL, P < .026). They were also increased in children with moderate persistent asthma compared to those with episodic asthma (36.25 pg/mL and 12.28 pg/mL, P < .012), and in children with moderate persistent asthma and episodic asthma compared to healthy controls (36.25 pg/mL vs. 6.59 pg/mL [P < .0001] and 12.28 pg/mL versus 6.59 pg/mL [P < .0001], respectively). CONCLUSION: LTB4 and 8-isoprostane concentrations were increased in asthmatic children compared to healthy individuals, with differences detected for 2 degrees of asthma severity. Our findings suggest that EBC is a noninvasive method for airway inflammation and oxidative stress assessment.

Epidemiologic, clinical and socioeconomic factors of atopic dermatitis in Spain: Alergológica-2005.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of the population with atopic dermatitis (AD) consulting in Allergology services in Spain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was a multi-center, observational, descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiologic study with prospective collection of data on patients consulting for the first time in Allergology services in Spain. By means of a data collection record, personal and specific variables were collected during the calendar year 2005 from a total of 4991 patients with AD. RESULTS: AD was diagnosed in 171 patients (3.4% of patients seen in Allergology services), which represented no significant change with regard to the Alergológica-1992 study. In 72% of cases, AD was associated with other allergic disorders. The mean age of the onset of clinical manifestations of AD was 1 year and 4 months. During the first consultations, the suspected diagnosis of AD was established in 83% of cases. In 58% of cases the cause was considered idiopathic and 42% were associated with sensitization to allergens. In 10% of patients with AD the triggering allergens were foods and in 26% aeroallergens. Most patients (94%) received hydrating skin and drug treatment (anti-histamines 73%, topical corticoids 49%, calcineurin inhibitors 31%). Only 10% of patients followed an exclusion diet. CONCLUSIONS: No significant increase in the demand for AD consultations was observed in comparison with Alergológica-1992. AD was frequently associated with other allergic disorders. In few cases was food involved in the etiology of the disease. In most cases nothing more than topical drug treatment was indicated.

[Cow milk protein allergies: primary prevention. Nutritional aspects]. / Alergia a proteínas de leche de vaca: prevención primaria. Aspectos nutricionales.

In 2001 the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, published a position paper on "Recommendations on the use of formulae for the treatment and prevention of adverse reactions to cow milk proteins" (An Esp Pediatr. 2001;54:372-9). Since most of the recommendations given in this report still remain effective, the Nutrition Committee of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics reaffirms its support of the data expressed in it. In the present publication we only approach the aspects that have changed due to new knowledge and the accumulated clinical experience, especially on the primary prevention of allergy to cow milk proteins, and on the basis of it, the present recommendations for this prevention are set out. In addition, the importance of the nutritional aspects in all infants and small children receiving special nutritional formulae and exclusion diets are reviewed.

[Chronic maxillary atelectasis: an uncommon cause of persistent radiological opacification]. / Atelectasia crónica maxilar: causa infrecuente de opacidad radiológica persistente.

Chronic maxillary atelectasis (CMA) is an infrequent entity characterized by a persistent decrease in maxillary sinus volume due to inward bowing of one or more antral walls. The cause of CMA is probably maxillary sinus hypoventilation secondary to ostiomeatal complex obstruction. This creates negative pressure, leading to thinning of the sinus walls. We report the case of a 14-year-old asymptomatic girl with an opacified maxillary sinus on radiology following unsuccessful antibiotic treatment. A coronal computed tomography scan showed partial right antral opacification, with a laterally malpositioned medial infundibular wall and fontanel retraction, and consequently CMA was diagnosed. The interest of this case lies in the infrequency of CMA and the need to distinguish it from maxillary sinusitis.

[Consensus position document on the child with an allergic reaction after vaccination or an allergy to vaccine components]. / Documento de consenso sobre la actitud ante un niño con una reacción alérgica tras la vacunación o alergia a componentes vacunales.

Vaccinations are one of the main public health tools for the control of vaccine-preventable diseases. If a child is labeled to have had an allergic reaction to a vaccine, the next immunizations will probably be suspended in that child, with the risks involved in this decision. The rate of severe allergic reactions is very low, ranging between 0.5-1/100,000 doses. The causes of allergic reactions to vaccines, more than the vaccine itself, are often due to residual protein components in the manufacturing process, such as gelatin or egg, and rarely to yeast or latex. Most of vaccine reactions are mild, localized at the site of injection, but in some circumstances, severe anaphylactic reactions can occur. If an immediate-type allergic reaction is suspected when vaccinating, or a child allergic to some of the vaccine components has to be vaccinated, a correct diagnosis of the possible allergy has to be made. The usual components of each vaccine should be known, in order to determine if vaccination can be performed safely on the child.

[Etiologic implication of foods in atopic dermatitis: evidence against]. / Implicación etiológica de los alimentos en la dermatitis atópica: datos en contra.

Atopic dermatitis is a typical chronic inflammatory skin disease that usually occurs in individuals with a personal or family history of atopy. Children with atopic dermatitis frequently present IgE-mediated food sensitization, the most commonly involved foods being egg and cow's milk. However, controversy currently surrounds whether food allergy is an etiological factor in atopic dermatitis or whether it is simply an associated factor, accompanying this disease as one more expression of the patient's atopic predisposition. Approximately 40 % of neonates and small children with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis present food allergy confirmed by double-blind provocation tests but this allergy does not seem to be the cause of dermatitis since in many cases onset occurs before the food responsible for allergic sensitization is introduced into the newborn's diet.Studies of double-blind provocation tests with food in patients with atopic dermatitis demonstrate mainly immediate reactions compatible with an IgE-mediated allergy. These reactions occur between 5 minutes and 2 hours and present mainly cutaneous symptoms (pruritus, erythema, morbilliform exanthema, wheals) and to a lesser extent, digestive manifestations (nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea), as well as respiratory symptoms (wheezing, nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing). However, these reactions do not indicate the development of dermatitis.Some authors believe that responses to the food in provocation tests may also be delayed, appearing mainly in the following 48 hours, and clinically manifested as exacerbation of dermatitis. However, delayed symptoms are difficult to diagnose and attributing these symptoms to a particular foodstuff may not be possible.Delayed reactions have been attributed to a non-IgE-mediated immunological mechanism and patch tests with food have been proposed for their diagnosis. In our experience and in that of other authors, the results of patch tests with cow's milk do not seem very specific and could be due, at least in part, to the irritant effect of these patches on the reactive skin of children with atopic dermatitis.The involvement of foods in atopic dermatitis will always be difficult to demonstrate given that an exclusion diet is not usually required for its resolution. Food is just one among several possible exacerbating factors and consequently identification of its precise role in the course of the disease is difficult. Further double-blind prospective studies are required to demonstrate the effectiveness of exclusion diets in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.Apart from the controversy surrounding the etiological role of foods, the most important point in atopic dermatitis is to understand that the child is atopic, that is, predisposed to developing sensitivity to environmental allergens; in the first few years of life to foods and subsequently to aeroallergens. Consequently, possible allergic sensitization to foods should be evaluated in children with atopic dermatitis to avoid allergic reactions and to prevent the possible development of allergic respiratory disease later in life.

Oral immunotherapy to hake in 8 pediatric patients

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Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis due to pediculus humanus capitis

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