Natural history of immediate-type food allergy in childhood

Abstract

 Immediate-type of childhood food allergies are likely to resolve with age. We have previously reported the natural history of food allergy against hen's egg, cow's milk, and wheat, based on results of oral food challenge (OFC). We observed that the resolution rates by 6 years of age were as follows : 73% for hen's egg, 85% for cow's milk and 66% for wheat. From a retrospective chart review in USA, 69% of the children outgrew soy allergy by the age of 10 years. On the other hand, 22% of the children outgrew peanut allergy diagnosed at the age of 1 year by OFC, by the age of 4 years. In addition, among food allergies diagnosed at the age of 6 years, 50% or more outgrew hen's egg, cow's milk and wheat allergies by the age of 12 years, whereas approximately 30% outgrew peanut allergy. A history of anaphylaxis, high levels of specific IgE and large wheal diameter of skin prick test were the risk factors of persistent food allergy. Although the natural history of immediate-type of childhood food allergies differs with respect to causative foods, we need to consider performing OFC to confirm the resolution of food allergies in childhood.