Randomised controlled trial of silk therapeutic garments for the management of atopic eczema in children: the CLOTHES trial.

Background: Atopic eczema (AE) is a chronic, itchy, inflammatory skin condition that affects the quality of life of children and their families. The role of specialist clothing in the management of AE is poorly understood.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of silk garments for the management of AE in children with moderate to severe disease.

Silk garments plus standard care compared with standard care for treating eczema in children: A randomised, controlled, observer-blind, pragmatic trial (CLOTHES Trial).

Background: The role of clothing in the management of eczema (also called atopic dermatitis or atopic eczema) is poorly understood. This trial evaluated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of silk garments (in addition to standard care) for the management of eczema in children with moderate to severe disease.

Methods And Findings: This was a parallel-group, randomised, controlled, observer-blind trial.

The prevalence, natural history and time trends of peanut allergy over the first 10 years of life in two cohorts born in the same geographical location 12 years apart.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the natural history of peanut allergy in childhood in two birth cohorts from the same geographical region in the South of England.

Methods: The FAIR birth cohort was established on the Isle of Wight (UK) between 2001 and 2002 (n = 969). Children were followed up prospectively, skin prick tested (SPT) to peanut allergens at 1, 2, 3 and 10 years and food challenges performed.

Very low prevalence of IgE mediated wheat allergy and high levels of cross-sensitisation between grass and wheat in a UK birth cohort.

Background: Patients often report adverse reactions to wheat. Interpretation of sensitization to wheat pollen and flour with/without sensitization to grass pollen is a clinical problem.

Aim: We set out to determine the prevalence of wheat allergy in a birth cohort (10/11 year olds) and investigate the usefulness of performing skin prick tests (SPT), specific IgE tests and component resolved diagnostics to wheat pollen and flour.

Prevalence and cumulative incidence of food hyper-sensitivity in the first 10 years of life.

Background: Prevalence, incidence and natural history of food hypersensitivity (FHS) and its trends in an unselected cohort of older children are unclear.

Methods: A birth cohort born on the Isle of Wight (UK) between 2001 and 2002 was followed up prospectively. Children were clinically examined and skin prick tested at set times and invited for food challenges when indicated.

Cows' milk exclusion diet during infancy: Is there a long-term effect on children's eating behaviour and food preferences?

Background: Dietary restriction during infancy may influence later eating behaviour. The aim of this study was to determine whether consuming a cows' milk exclusion (CME) diet during infancy affects eating habits in later childhood, once cows' milk has been reintroduced into the diet.

Methods: Children were recruited from two large birth cohort studies in the UK.

Health-related quality of life in children with perceived and diagnosed food hypersensitivity.

Background: The few studies measuring health-related quality of life (HRQL) in food hypersensitivity (FHS) have found significantly reduced HRQL in patients and their families, particularly in the areas of family and social activities, emotional issues and family economy. One aspect that has not been studied is the effect of suspected FHS (food allergy/intolerance) vs. diagnosed FHS [based on a food challenge or a positive skin prick test (SPT) and good clinical history] on HRQL.

Information and support from dietary consultation for mothers of children with food allergies.

Background: Professional dietetic input is essential to ensure that children with diagnosed food allergies have an individualized avoidance plan and nutritionally adequate diet. However, it is not clear what dietary information and support parents require.

Objective: To explore what information and support parents of children with food allergies require from a dietary consultation.

Are exhaled nitric oxide measurements using the portable NIOX MINO repeatable?

Background: Exhaled nitric oxide is a non-invasive marker of airway inflammation and a portable analyser, the NIOX MINO (Aerocrine AB, Solna, Sweden), is now available. This study aimed to assess the reproducibility of the NIOX MINO measurements across age, sex and lung function for both absolute and categorical exhaled nitric oxide values in two distinct groups of children and teenagers.

Methods: Paired exhaled nitric oxide readings were obtained from 494 teenagers, aged 16-18 years, enrolled in an unselected birth cohort and 65 young people, aged 6-17 years, with asthma enrolled in an interventional asthma management study.

Factors associated with maternal dietary intake, feeding and weaning practices, and the development of food hypersensitivity in the infant.

Maternal diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding, as well as infant feeding and weaning practices, may play a role in the development of sensitization to food and food hypersensitivity (FHS) and need further investigation. Pregnant women were recruited at 12 wk pregnancy. Information regarding family history of allergy was obtained by means of a questionnaire.

Patterns of sensitization to food and aeroallergens in the first 3 years of life.

Background: There is a paucity of longitudinal studies of allergen sensitization in childhood.

Objective: To investigate the pattern of sensitization in early childhood.

Methods: A nested cohort of children (n = 543) were followed up from birth and given a skin prick test (SPT) at 1, 2, and 3 years of age.

Prevalence of sensitization reported and objectively assessed food hypersensitivity amongst six-year-old children: a population-based study.

There is a paucity of information on food hypersensitivity (FHS) in young children and there are even fewer population-based studies in this area. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of parentally reported FHS, and objectively diagnosed FHS amongst six-year-old children and to establish the rates of sensitization to key allergens. This population-based cohort study recruited 798 6-year-olds resident on the Isle of Wight (UK).

Incidence of parentally reported and clinically diagnosed food hypersensitivity in the first year of life.

Background: There are very few population-based studies investigating the incidence of food hypersensitivity during the first year of life.

Objective: To determine the incidence of parentally reported food hypersensitivity and objectively diagnosed food hypersensitivity during the first year of life.

Methods: A birth cohort was recruited (n = 969).

Prevalence of sensitization to food allergens, reported adverse reaction to foods, food avoidance, and food hypersensitivity among teenagers.

Background: There is a paucity of information on food hypersensitivity (FHS) among teenagers.

Objectives: We sought to investigate the sensitization rates, perception of FHS, food avoidance, and FHS assessed by means of food challenges among teenagers.

Methods: This cohort study recruited 757 eleven-year-olds and 775 fifteen-year-olds in the United Kingdom.

Rising prevalence of allergy to peanut in children: Data from 2 sequential cohorts.

Background: Allergy to peanut is common. However, it is not known whether the prevalence of sensitization and clinical allergy to peanut is increasing.

Objective: We sought to determine any change in the prevalence of peanut sensitization and reactivity in early childhood in 2 sequential cohorts in the same geographic area 6 years apart.