Patch tests in the diagnosis of food allergies in the nursing infant

The atopy patch-test has been shown to be useful in diagnosis of delayed reactions in infants with atopic dermatitis or digestive symptoms. The combination of skin prick testing and patch testing can significantly enhance the accuracy in diagnosis of specific food allergy in infants with atopic dermatitis or digestive symptoms.     

Milk- and soy protein-induced enterocolitis: evidence for lymphocyte sensitization to specific food proteins

Stimulation ( [3H]thymidine incorporation) of blood lymphocytes cultured with food proteins was evaluated in infants with food protein-induced enterocolitis and correlated with the results of oral diagnostic challenges with the same foods (soy, cow's milk, and egg white). The geometric mean stimulation index for lymphocytes from patients with positive oral soy protein challenge that were cultured with soy protein was 8.5, and for patients with positive cow's milk challenge the stimulation index was 6.0 when casein was used in the cultures. Both values are significantly different from the values obtained from patients with negative oral challenges (p less than 0.01). The enhanced lymphocyte responses were specific for the food proteins responsible for clinical symptoms. It is not clear whether these lymphocyte responses are due to systemic immunization secondary to macromolecular absorption, or to an abnormality in immune regulation such as a delay in the development of oral tolerance mechanisms. They suggest, however, that circulating lymphocytes sensitive to the food antigens that produce the clinical symptoms are frequent in infants with this discrete form of food protein hypersensitivity.     

Infant food allergy: digestive manifestations

Food allergies are frequent in infants where digestive signs predominate. The symptoms are extremely variable and most often non-specific. The signs may be immediate or delayed. The pathology of eosinophilia seems to be frequent and may occur in all parts of the intestine. Diagnosis will be orientated to skin tests, prick and/or patch, measurement of IgE and search for eosinophils in digestive biopsies. Exclusion diet of the suspect food, followed by reintroduction of the food will give certainty to the diagnosis.     

Extensively hydrolyzed formula (MA-mi) induced exacerbation of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) in a male infant.

BACKGROUND: Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) is a severe, cell-mediated food allergy in which digestive symptoms such as severe vomiting and diarrhea are induced by cow's milk and/or soy protein in infants. Generally, a food-specific IgE is not detected, and FPIES may be caused by inadvertent exposure to allergenic foods. CASE SUMMARY: The patient in our case was a male infant in whom vomiting had been induced by ingestion of a cow's milk-based formula and bloody diarrhea had been caused by ingestion of breast milk during the neonatal period. Accidental ingestion of a new and extensively hydrolyzed casein/whey formula, MA-mi, caused watery diarrhea at 8 months of age, and FPIES was diagnosed based on these symptoms. In antigen-specific lymphocyte stimulation tests, New MA-1 was negative, but MA-mi and cow's milk antigens were positive. The only causative antigens were derived from cow's milk, and the symptoms were not induced by another extensively hydrolyzed casein formula, New MA-1. The patient grew and developed normally thereafter, and no symptoms were induced by solid food during the course of the condition. DISCUSSION: MA-mi is likely to be used increasingly for allergic infants, but it is not necessarily a substitute for other hydrolyzed milk formulae in all cases, and care should be taken regarding its use and possible misuse.     

Single and multiple food allergies in infants with proctocolitis

Background

Food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis is a frequent cause of rectal bleeding in infants. Characteristics of infants with multiple food allergies have not been defined.

Allergies alimentaires précoces du nourrisson de 6 à 18 mois : étude de 69 cas

We report our findings on a group of 69 children without cow’s milk allergy who had one or several other food allergies between 6 and 18 months of age. Their initial symptoms were of moderate to severe intensity: 61 (88.5%) of them had had systemic symptoms, including angioedema (52%), generalized urticaria (36%), laryngeal edema (13%) and asthma (10%). In 11.5% of the patients, the first sign was severe acute eczema that did not respond to the usual treatment. The most important allergens, those identified with skin tests, serological assay for specific IgE antibody and labial or oral challenge tests, were egg (60.2%), peanut (50%), fish (10.3%) and cashew nut (5.8%). An atopic background was present in 90% of these infants. Of those allergic to eggs, 53% subsequently had no reaction to this food, whereas only one child allergic to peanuts and none of those allergic to cashew nuts or fish became symptom-free. Forty-three percent of the infants suffered from multiple food allergies, and asthma had developed in 33 (48%) of them. In conclusion, the early onset of food allergy and the presence of multiple sensitivities in this group of patients pointed to the seriousness and the unfavorable evolution of their allergic condition.     

Vomiting, abdominal distention and early feeding of banana (Musa paradisiaca) in neonates

The objective of this cohort study was to assess the relationship between banana given as early solid food with the symptoms of intestinal obstruction (SIO) among neonates, in a rural community in West Lombok District, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. Mothers having newborn infants were interviewed and 3,420 neonates were followed for 28 days. Compared with infants who were not given solid food, the relative risk (RR) for infants given food other than banana as early solid food was 1.87, 95% CI 0.48-8.24, p=0.4, while for infants given banana only as early solid food the RR was 9.15, 95% CI 1.96-42.58, p 0.0005. After adjustment for birthweight, colostrum, and breastfeeding, the odds ratio for infants given banana and the appearance of SIO was 2.99, 95% CI 2.65-5.14; p=0.0012. These data indicate that banana given as early solid food is an important risk factor for the appearance of SIO in neonates.     

Current childhood food allergies

Changes of dietary habits, new food technology, international meals and increasing consumption of exotic food has changed the repartition of food allergens. Some food allergens are worrisome and symptoms severe (peanut and nut butters). Others are new and increase strongly: exotic fruits, sesame, mustard and lupin. Primary prevention include avoidance of such food in high risk infants. Product labeling must be improved.     

Food-protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome caused by fish

IntroductionFood protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) occurs in infants. Typical symptoms include profuse vomiting and/or diarrhea several hours after ingestion of a given food. The disorder is a non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivity. The most frequently involved foods are milk and soy, but some cases of FPIES induced by solid foods have been described. We report 14 patients with FPIES due to fish protein.Material and methodsHistory and physical examination, skin prick test (SPT) with fish allergens and Anisakis simplex, prick-by-prick test with implicated fish and determination of specific IgE antibodies against fish were performed. In eight children atopy patch test (APT) were also performed. In nine patients an open oral food challenge with the implicated fish was carried out.ResultsThere were six boys and eight girls, aged from 9 to 12 months at diagnosis, with between two and six reactions to the offending fish proteins before the diagnosis was established. Four patients had a previous history of atopy. Presenting symptoms included diarrhea in two patients, profuse vomiting in six patients, and recurrent vomiting and subsequent diarrhea in three patients. In addition to these symptoms, associated septic appearance, apathy and lethargy were present in the remaining three patients. Onset of symptoms occurred a few minutes after fish ingestion in two patients and from 60 minutes to 6 hours in the 12 remaining patients. SPT to fish were negative in all patients. Serum food-specific IgE antibodies were negative in all patients except one. APT was positive in three patients. Open oral challenge (OC) was performed in nine infants and was positive in all. The patients were followed-up for between 1 and 7 years after diagnosis, and follow-up OC tests were performed after fish had been eliminated from the patients’ diet for 3-4 years. Four patients became clinically tolerant to the causal food. Three patients currently tolerate only one type of fish (swordfish).ConclusionsWe report 14 patients with FPIES caused by fish protein. The symptoms suggest a form of cell-mediated, non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivity. The gold standard for diagnosis is OC, although caution should be exercised in infants with several reactions or a recent diagnosis. After a period of elimination of the causal food from the diet, tolerance can develop.     

Recurrent bronchopneumopathies caused by gastroesophageal reflux in children. Clinical, x-ray and histologic studies of 36 cases

The respiratory symptoms of gastro-oesophageal reflux, which sometimes includes massive and fatal inhalation, are well-known in infants. In older children the digestive signs are not clinically evident and the reflux mainly, if not exclusively, can be translated by recurring respiratory symptoms. The series of 36 cases presented in this work concerns children between 3 months and 15 years old, for whom the first signs were respiratory, with often a silent gastro-oesophageal reflux for several months, and even several years in some cases. The physiopathology of the respiratory symptoms concerns principally the repeated alimentary aspiration and/or gastric content during nocturnal decubitus. The pulmonary lesions caused by the reflux can be either localized, with atelectasis, obstructive emphysema or bronchiectasis, or generalized with granulomatous reactions around the food particles. Other respiratory conditions such as asthma or cystic fibrosis can be also associated with gastro-oesophageal reflux. The diagnostic criteria are discussed.     

Test de provocation par voie orale aux aliments chez l'enfant. Quand,pour qui et comment ? Interprétation

Oral food challenges (OFC) have to be carefully interpreted. OFC prove the food allergy or persistent food allergy. OFC prove also the absence or the cure of food allergy. Objective and subjective signs are distinguished. Cutaneous and gastrointestinal symptoms are more frequent than respiratory or systemic symptoms. Delayed reactions, isolated or associated, have to be taken into account. In some cases, the OFC cannot be interpreted. Negative double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge must be confirmed by an open manner.     

Chronic aspiration without gastroesophageal reflux as a cause of chronic respiratory symptoms in neurologically normal infants

OBJECTIVE: To describe 13 neurologically normal infants with chronic respiratory symptoms who had swallowing dysfunction with silent chronic aspiration without gastroesophageal reflux (GER) as the cause of their respiratory symptoms. BACKGROUND: Infants with neurologic disorders and infants with GER are known to have chronic respiratory symptoms. Isolated swallowing dysfunction and aspiration without GER in neurologically normal infants have not been widely reported. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: A tertiary pulmonary-care center at a children's hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred twelve otherwise healthy infants referred for respiratory symptoms who underwent esophageal pH studies and videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VSSs). METHODS: The records of infants referred between January 1997 and December 1999 to the Department of Pediatric Pulmonology who underwent 24-h esophageal pH monitoring and VSS as part of an evaluation for recurrent stridor and/or wheezing were reviewed. Significant GER was diagnosed if the percentage of time with esophageal pH < 4 was > 6%. Infants included in the study presented with recurrent respiratory symptoms, were born at term, were neurologically normal, had normal results of esophageal pH studies, but had abnormal results of VSSs (n = 13). RESULTS: All 13 infants presented with a variety of recurrent respiratory symptoms including wheezing and intermittent stridor. Ten of 13 infants had spitting and/or choking episodes with feeding. The mean (+/- SD) age at the onset of symptoms was 2.0 +/- 1.6 months, and the mean age at VSS was 5.9 +/- 3.4 months. All 13 infants had normal results of 24-h esophageal pH studies but had abnormal results for VSSs. All infants had evidence of swallowing dysfunction and direct silent aspiration of liquids with thin consistency. Six infants also were aspirating liquids with thick and/or semi-thick consistencies. None of the infants had evidence of structural anomalies on esophagograms. Nine infants were treated with thickened food, and in four infants oral feedings were stopped. Three of these infants required nasojejunal feeding, and one infant required gastrostomy tube feeding. VSSs were repeated every 3 months. In all infants, swallowing dysfunction resolved within 3 to 9 months. All infants tolerated the resumption of oral feeding. Videofluoroscopic documentation of the resolution of aspiration was followed by the resolution of respiratory symptoms in all infants. CONCLUSION: There is a subgroup of otherwise healthy infants, presenting with wheeze and/or stridor, who have isolated swallowing dysfunction and silent aspiration as the cause of their respiratory symptoms.     

Spatiotemporal characteristics of acid refluxate and relationship to symptoms in premature and term infants with chronic lung disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is high among infants with chronic lung disease (CLD), and the associated pathogenic mechanisms are not clear. The relationship of symptoms to the extent or duration of acid reflux events (AREs) is not well known in preterm or term infants. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between spatial (height) and temporal (duration) characteristics of AREs (pH <4.0) with symptoms in CLD. We tested the hypothesis that in infants with CLD, AREs into the pharynx are associated with increased symptom occurrence and delayed clearance. METHODS: Nine infants born at 29.8 +/- 5.5 wk gestation (mean +/- SD, range 24.7-39.0 wk) with CLD were evaluated for GER at 49.7 +/- 8.0 wk postmenstrual age (mean +/- SD, range 39.9-67.4 wk). Esophageal manometry was first performed to determine the nares-lower esophageal sphincter (LES) distance. A pH-impedance probe was placed at 87% of the nares-LES distance, and a recording was performed for about 24 h at cribside. Symptoms (respiratory, sensory, and movement) were documented by nurses that were blinded to the pH-impedance recordings. A symptom was considered associated with an ARE if it occurred 2 min before, during, or 2 min after the ARE. The proximal extent and associated clearance mechanisms were correlated with symptom sensitivity index (SSI = number of AREs with symptoms/total AREs *100). Multiple logistic regression methods, analysis of variance (ANOVA) models, and chi(2) tests were performed. Data are described as median, mean +/- SD, or %. RESULTS: A total of 511 AREs, based on pH-Impedance methods, were analyzed from 203 h of recordings in the nine infants. The distal esophagus was the maximal height reached in 80% of AREs (P < 0.001, compared to other esophageal segments). Overall 33% of the AREs were associated with symptoms, and an SSI of 77% was noted with high AREs into the pharynx. The average acid clearance time was prolonged with symptomatic AREs versus nonsymptomatic AREs by 3.5-fold (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence and frequency of symptoms with AREs depend on the most proximal extent of the ARE and the acid clearance time.     

Causative effect of cow''s milk protein and soy protein on progressive small bowel mucosal damage

Some infants intolerant to cow's milk protein (CMP) are often also intolerant to other food proteins including soy protein (SP). The effect of CMP and SP in infants recovering from diarrhoeal disease was studied in 22 infants who were maintained on an hypo-allergenic formula for 4-6 weeks. The infants were then challenged successively, initially with SP, followed 24 h later with CMP and then rechallenged with SP 24 h after CMP provocation. Three groups were recognized on the basis of clinical symptoms and mucosal changes following SP challenge. Group 1 comprised four infants who developed clinical and histological reactions on SP challenge. The subsequent CMP challenge, 24 h after the initial SP challenge, resulted in clinical symptoms in three of the four infants, and they developed increased mucosal injury. Rechallenge with SP in the three infants caused development of severe clinical symptoms. Group 2 comprised 12 infants who developed histological reaction but had no clinical symptoms to initial SP challenge. The subsequent CMP challenge caused further progression in mucosal pathology in 11 of the 12 infants and six also had associated clinical symptoms. Rechallenge with SP in the latter six infants resulted in development of clinical symptoms in three and tolerance to SP in three infants. Group 3 comprised six infants who tolerated SP and CMP but one of these infants developed mild histological changes to CMP. The progression of mucosal injury following SP and CMP challenge was associated with a significant decrease in mucosal disaccharidases, alkaline phosphatase levels and presence of reducing sugar in the stools. The 1 h blood xylose level continued to decrease significantly following the pre-SP, post-SP, and post-CMP challenge. It appears that the small bowel mucosa of young infants recovering from diarrhoeal disease remains sensitive not only to CMP but also to SP. The feeding of these proteins in rapid successive sequence to infants with mucosal damage might result in further progression of the mucosal injury. Thus, the exclusion for a variable period of time of antigenic food proteins like CMP and SP from the diet of young infants recovering from diarrhoea might reduce the risk of inducing mucosal sensitivity to these proteins in susceptible infants.     

Food allergy and the respiratory tract

Previous studies have confirmed that IgE-mediated, food allergy-induced respiratory tract symptoms occur, typically accompanied by cutaneous or gastrointestinal symptoms. The possibility that respiratory tract symptoms are food allergy induced should be considered in patients who have a current or past history of one or more of the following: atopic dermatitis, wheezing (or experiencing anaphylactic symptoms) after ingesting a particular food or foods, and confirmed food allergy. Moreover, the work-up of food allergy in asthma should be considered in patients in whom asthma is poorly controlled despite persistent use of appropriate asthma medications. A definitive diagnosis of food allergy should be based on clinical history, appropriate laboratory testing, and, when indicated, well-controlled oral food challenges. Treatment is based on establishing a safe elimination diet and an emergency plan for managing reactions caused by accidental ingestion.     

Food Intolerances and Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Childhood

Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a particular food or ingredient that may or may not be related to the immune system. A deficiency in digestive enzymes can also cause some types of food intolerances like lactose and gluten intolerance. Food intolerances may cause unpleasant symptoms, including nausea, bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which usually begin about half an hour after eating or drinking the food in question, but sometimes symptoms may delayed up to 48 h. There is also a strong genetic pattern to food intolerances. Intolerance reactions to food chemicals are mostly dose-related, but also some people are more sensitive than others. Diagnosis can include elimination and challenge testing. Food intolerance can be managed simply by avoiding the particular food from entering the diet. Babies or younger children with lactose intolerance can be given soy milk or hypoallergenic milk formula instead of cow’s milk. Adults may be able to tolerate small amounts of troublesome foods, so may need to experiment. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is defined as isolated eosinophilic infiltration in patients with reflux-like symptoms and normal pH studies and whose symptoms are refractory to acid-inhibition therapy. Food allergy, abnormal immunologic response, and autoimmune mechanisms are suggested as possible etiological factors for EE. This article is intended to review the current literature and to present a practical approach for managing food intolerances and EE in childhood.     

Lack of significant proximal esophageal acid reflux in infants presenting with respiratory symptoms

The effects of proximal esophageal acid reflux on upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms in infants with gastroesophageal reflux (GER) remain controversial. We studied 116 infants with either respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms to determine whether acid reflux in the proximal esophagus plays an etiologic role in the elicitation of respiratory symptoms in comparison to causing gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms only. Sixty-two infants (age range, 1-12 months) with respiratory symptoms suggestive of GER and 54 infants with gastrointestinal symptoms only (age range, 1-10 months) were evaluated with dual level esophageal pH monitoring. Mean duration of dual-level pH monitoring in infants with respiratory symptoms was 20.4 h, and in those with GI symptoms was 20.7 h. Seventeen of 54 infants with GI symptoms only and 16 of 63 infants with respiratory symptoms had abnormal distal esophageal acid reflux indices (i.e., pH <4.0 for >5% of the duration of study). In infants with abnormal distal pH monitoring, the median proximal acid reflux index in the GI group was 4.0% in comparison to 0.95% in the respiratory group (P < 0.01 by Wilcoxon rank sum W test). Values for other reflux parameters were also higher in the GI than in the respiratory group. We conclude that reflux-associated respiratory symptoms are more likely due to mechanisms other than the mere presence of refluxed acid in the proximal esophagus.     

Silent myocardial ischemia during mastication

Ambulatory outpatient monitoring of patients with angina suggests a different view of myocardial ischemia than is conventionally obtained from in-hospital tests. Multiple episodes of ST segment depression occur, and the majority of these disturbances are not associated with symptoms. Recently, studies of regional myocardial perfusion using the technique of positron emission tomography with rubidium 82 have confirmed the ischemic nature of these silent ST changes. Furthermore, activities of everyday life such as mental stress or cold exposure seem to provoke both symptomatic and asymptomatic ischemia, as judged by ST depression and reduced cation uptake. This report presents an unusual case of silent myocardial ischemia observed during the chewing of food.     

Relationship of symptoms to lung function abnormalities in preterm infants at follow-up.

Recurrent respiratory symptoms are common in preterm infants in the first 2 years of life. The aim of this study was to determine the lung function abnormalities associated with such symptoms. Forty preterm infants, with a median gestational age of 29 weeks were studied at a median postnatal age of 12 months. Twenty-two suffered from recurrent symptoms, defined as wheezing and/or coughing on at least 4 days per week over the previous month. Lung function was assessed by measurement of functional residual capacity (FRC), using a helium gas dilution technique, and airway resistance (Raw) and thoracic gas volume (TGV) plethysmographically. No significant difference was found in TGV between symptomatic and asymptomatic infants, but the median FRC was lower (P less than 0.01), Raw higher (P less than 0.01), and FRC:TGV ratio lower (P less than 0.001) in the symptomatic infants. These lung function abnormalities in the symptomatic infants are suggestive of gas trapping.     

Widespread use of gastric acid inhibitors in infants:Are they needed? Are they safe?

Gastroesophageal reflux is a common phenomenon in infants,but the differentiation between gastro-esophageal reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease can be difficult.Symptoms are non-specific and there is increasing evidence that the majority of symptoms may not be acid-related.Despite this,gastric acid inhibitors such as proton pump inhibitors are widely and increasingly used,often without objective evidence or investigations to guide treatment.Several studies have shown that these medications are ineffective at treating symptoms associated with reflux in the absence of endoscopically proven oesophagitis.With a lack of evidence for efficacy,attention is now being turned to the potential risks of gastric acid suppression.Previously assumed safety of these medications is being challenged with evidence of potential side effects including GI and respiratory infections,bacterial overgrowth,adverse bone health,food allergy and drug interactions.