Allergy, Asthma & Respiratory Disease

The Korean Academy of Asthma, Allergy and Clinical Immunology (대한천식알레르기학회)
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Approach to children with IgE-mediated food allergy with a focus on oral allergy syndrome

  • Eun Kyo Ha (Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital) ;
  • Ju Hee Kim (Department of Pediatrics, Kyung Hee University Medical Center) ;
  • Jeewon Shin (Department of Pediatrics, Bundang CHA Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine) ;
  • Youn Ho Shin (Department of Pediatrics, Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea) ;
  • Hye Mi Jee (Department of Pediatrics, Bundang CHA Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine) ;
  • Man Yong Han (Department of Pediatrics, Bundang CHA Medical Center, CHA University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2023.11.17
  • Accepted : 2024.01.09
  • Published : 2024.04.30
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Abstract

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of food allergy, with a focus on oral allergy syndrome (OAS) in a population of children and to investigate relevant allergen sensitization associated with these adverse reactions. Methods: This study involved 1,660 children (aged 4 to 13 years) experiencing seasonal allergy symptoms, who were enrolled in the 2015 prospective Seongnam Atopy Project (SAP 2015) in a South Korean municipality. Parents completed a structured questionnaire to assess children with OAS, collecting information on the duration, severity, and factors related to symptoms. Skin prick tests (n= 498) and blood sampling (n= 464) were performed to measure allergic sensitizations, total eosinophil counts, and levels both total immunoglobulin E (IgE) and birch-specific IgE. Results: The prevalence of OAS among the children enrolled in this study was 4.4% (95% confidence interval, 3.7%-5.1%). The most common symptom was mouth itching (n= 106, 65.0%), and the primary food allergen associated with symptoms was kiwi (n= 48, 29.5%). Peanut sensitization (14.8% vs. 57.1%, P< 0.001) and sensitization to other nut products (15.6% vs. 47.6%, P= 0.001) were linked to a higher incidence of systemic reactions. Conclusion: The prevalence of 4.4% underscores the significant health impact of OAS, especially in children experiencing food allergy-related symptoms. Notably, common allergens, such as kiwi, and the potential for additional systemic reactions associated with this condition highlight the importance of raising awareness.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

We are grateful to the children and families of the SAP2015 study for their support and dedication. The authors thank Eun Jeong Ju, from the Pediatrics Department of CHA Bundang Medical Center, and Yong-Suk Choi and Jung-Im Baek, from the Environment with this study. Thermo Fisher Scientific donated supplies used for serum analysis. This study was supported by a grant from the Seongnam Atopy Project for Children's Happiness (SAP2015) by the Seongnam City Government, Republic of Korea. The funders had no role in the data analysis or the decision to publish.

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