Food allergy: an updated review on pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and management

Food allergy: an updated review on pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and management

Authors

  • Mauro Calvani UOC di Pediatria. Azienda Ospedaliera S. Camillo Forlanini, Roma, Italy
  • Caterina Anania Dipartimento Materno Infantile e Scienze Urologiche, Policlinico Umberto I, “La Sapienza” Università di Roma, Italy
  • Carlo Caffarelli Clinica Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Medicina e Chirurgia, Università di Parma, Italy
  • Alberto Martelli Department of Pediatrics, G.Salvini Hospital, Garbagnate Milanese, Milan, Italy
  • Michele Miraglia Del Giudice Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery. University of Campania"Luigi Vanvitelli" Naples, Italy
  • Claudio Cravidi Agenzia Tutela della Salute, ATS (National Healthcare System), Pavia, Italy
  • Marzia Duse Department of Pediatrics, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
  • Sara Manti UOC Broncopneumologia Pediatrica e Fibrosi Cistica, AOUP “Vittorio-Emanuele”, San Marco Hospital, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
  • Maria Angela Tosca Allergy Center, Department of Pediatrics, Istituto G. Gaslini, Genoa, Italy
  • Fabio Cardinale Department of Pediatrics and Emergency, Pediatric Allergy and Pulmunology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera-Universitaria Consorziale-Policlinico, Ospedale Pediatrico Giovanni XXIII, Bari, Italy.
  • Elena Chiappini Division of Paediatric Infectious Disease, Anna Meyer Children's University Hospital, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
  • Francesca Olivero Pediatric Clinic Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • Gian Luigi Marseglia Pediatric Clinic Department of Pediatrics, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

Keywords:

food allergy, pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention, management, children

Abstract

Food allergy (FA) is an adverse immunologic response triggered by normally innocuous food protein antigens.  FA can be broadly classified into those that are IgE mediated, those that are mediated by both IgE-dependent and IgE-independent pathways (mixed), and those that are not IgE mediated  Immunoglobulin E. (IgE)-mediated reaction is characterized by rapid onset of symptoms involving respiratory, gastrointestinal, dermatologic and cardiovascular systems; mixed and non-IgE-mediated has a longer onset and manifests primary in the gastrointestinal tract and skin. The diagnosis of food allergy is based on clinical history, diagnostic testing (skin prick test and allergen-specific IgE levels in the serum), elimination diet and, oral food challenge. In recent years the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric FA have notably improved. In the diagnostic pathway of FA an important recent innovation is the CRD introduction.  This resulted in the possibility of improving diagnostic accuracy through FA prediction severity and prognosis and thereby decreasing the OCF necessity. Recent studies emphasize the possibility of preventing FA through early introduction of food (peanuts and egg) to high-risk infants. FA management is based on avoidance of offending food and prompt treatment of allergic reaction. Currently under study are recently developed treatment approaches for FA management including specific OIT.

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Published

15-09-2020

How to Cite

1.
Calvani M, Anania C, Caffarelli C, Martelli A, Miraglia Del Giudice M, Cravidi C, et al. Food allergy: an updated review on pathogenesis, diagnosis, prevention and management. Acta Biomed [Internet]. 2020 Sep. 15 [cited 2024 Oct. 4];91(11-S):e2020012. Available from: https://www.mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/actabiomedica/article/view/10316