Investigating the safety of a stepwise oral food challenge using udon noodles

Abstract

 Purpose : The present study aimed to assess the safety of a stepwise oral food challenge (OFC) using udon noodles.

 Subjects and Methods : This retrospective analysis reviewed the OFC and laboratory test results as well as the participants' history of food allergies from the medical records of participants who underwent an OFC using udon noodles at Miyagi Children's Hospital between September 2012 and April 2018. The total food dose classifications were as follows : step 1, 1 g of udon noodles ; step 2, 10 g of udon noodles ; step 3, 50 g of udon noodles ; and step 4, 100 g of udon noodles.

 Results : Five hundred twenty‒one participants were included in the analysis. OFC‒positive rates were 16% (step 1), 34% (step 2), 21% (step 3), and 18% (step 4). An intramuscular adrenaline injection was administered to 0.5% and 1.5% of the participants during steps 1 and 2, respectively, whereas no patients underwent intramuscular adrenaline injections during steps 3 or 4.

 Conclusions : The stepwise OFC with udon noodles is safe, as indicated by the low OFC‒positive and adrenaline treatment rates.