Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate quantitative diet instructions developed to release patients with wheat allergies from food elimination.
Methods: We recruited 35 children (median age: 24 months) with positive wheat challenge test results obtained using udon noodles who met the criteria to initiate the ingestion of 2 g or more of udon noodles based on the threshold level and severity of symptoms. Oral wheat challenge tests were carried out at our institute between September 2010 and July 2011. The diet instructions consisted of quantitative intake of udon noodles or pasta. When safety was confirmed, the amount was increased 10% to 20%. The patients were allowed to consume other wheat products and recipes by converting the content of wheat protein. The amount of wheat ingestion attained after one year was evaluated and compared with that observed in 37 control patients before the implementation of the diet instructions.
Results: According to questionnaires completed by the subjects' parents after six months, the allergic symptoms accompanying the wheat intake were mild, such as discomfort in the mouth or redness around the mouth. The median amount of udon ingestion attained after one year was 80 g, which was significantly more than that observed in the control group (30 g). However, some patients continued to exclusively eat udon noodles or a few pieces of wheat snacks.
Conclusion: The diet instructions were shown to be efficient and safe for releasing patients from wheat elimination. However, some patients required more detailed diet instructions regarding the introduction of allergic foods into their daily meals.
