Availability of the epinephrine autoinjector at school in children with peanut allergy.

Background: Peanut allergy accounts for most severe food-related allergic reactions, and accidental exposures are frequent. Delayed administration of epinephrine and the allergic individual's failure to personally carry epinephrine contribute to fatal outcomes.

Objectives: To describe epinephrine autoinjector availability at school and to determine factors that might affect autoinjector availability in children allergic to peanut.

Immune response to conjugated meningococcal C vaccine in pediatric oncology patients.

Background: Following outbreaks of meningococcal disease in Quebec in 1991-1993 and 2000-2001, a mass vaccination campaign was performed. In 2001-2002, children aged 2 months to 20 years were immunized with the Meningococcal CRM197 vaccine (Menjugate). We examined the response of pediatric oncology patients during or following maintenance chemotherapy and post-bone-marrow transplantation to Meningococcal C vaccine.

Accidental ingestions in children with peanut allergy.

Background: Accidental exposure to peanut has been reported to occur frequently. Total avoidance of peanut is difficult because of its widespread use, manufacturing and labeling errors, utensil contamination, and label misinterpretation.

Objective: Given the apparent increased awareness of peanut allergy by both consumers and food manufacturers, we aimed to determine the current frequency of accidental exposures occurring in peanut allergic children in Quebec and to identify factors associated with exposure.

Milk allergy and vitamin D deficiency rickets: a common disorder associated with an uncommon disease.

Background: Cow's milk allergy is one of the most common allergies in infancy. It has an excellent prognosis since most cases resolve by 4 years of age. The complications associated with milk allergy include delayed growth and atopic conditions, such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and other food allergies.