Different Measures of Diet Diversity During Infancy and the Association with Childhood Food Allergy in a UK Birth Cohort Study.

Background: Diet diversity (DD) during infancy may prevent food allergies (FA), possibly by exposing the gastrointestinal microbiota to diverse foods and nutrients.

Objective: To investigate the association between 4 different measures of DD during infancy and development of FA over the first decade of life.

Methods: A birth cohort born between 2001 and 2002 were followed prospectively, providing information on sociodemographic, environmental, and dietary exposures.

ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation during pregnancy and risk of allergic outcomes or sensitization in offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Allergic diseases have increased worldwide in the last 2 decades, with children suffering the highest burden of the condition. The ω-3 long-chain poly-unsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) possesses anti-inflammatory properties that could lead to a reduction in inflammatory mediators in allergies.

Objective: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the most recent follow-ups of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) was conducted to assess the effectiveness of ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation started during pregnancy on allergic outcomes in offspring.

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.

Prenatal Intake of Vitamins and Allergic Outcomes in the Offspring: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Allergic diseases have seen a rise worldwide, with children suffering the highest burden. Thus, early prevention of allergic diseases is a public health priority.

Objective: To synthesize the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of vitamin interventions during pregnancy on developing allergic diseases in offspring.

Does concurrent breastfeeding alongside the introduction of solid food prevent the development of food allergy?

The timing of introduction of solid food on the subsequent development of food allergy is under debate and the role of concurrent breastfeeding is unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of solid food introduction whilst concurrently breastfeeding on food allergy outcome, with a specific focus on cows' milk allergy. Prospectively collected infant feeding data from a birth cohort were analysed.

Prevalence of fish and shellfish allergy: A systematic review.

Background: Accurate information on the prevalence of food allergy facilitates a more evidence-based approach to planning of allergy services and can identify important geographic variations.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review to assess the age-specific prevalence of fish and shellfish allergy worldwide.

Methods: Searches were conducted using Web of Science and PubMed.

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.

A multi-centre, parallel group superiority trial of silk therapeutic clothing compared to standard care for the management of eczema in children (CLOTHES Trial): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Eczema is a chronic, itchy skin condition that can have a large impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. People with eczema are often keen to try out non-pharmacological therapies like silk therapeutic garments that could reduce itching or the damage caused by scratching. However, the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these garments in the management of eczema has yet to be proven.

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.

An exploratory investigation of food choice behavior of teenagers with and without food allergies.

Background: Understanding food choice behavior in adolescence is important because many core eating habits may be tracked into adulthood. The food choices of at least 2.3% of teenagers living in the United Kingdom are determined by food allergies.

Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of flooring to reduce injuries from falls in wards for older people.

Background: falls disproportionately affect older people, who are at increased risk of falls and injury. This pilot study investigates shock-absorbing flooring for fall-related injuries in wards for frail older people.

Methods: we conducted a non-blinded cluster randomised trial in eight hospitals in England between April 2010 and August 2011.

A new quality of life scale for teenagers with food hypersensitivity.

Background: A disease-specific health-related quality of life (HRQL) scale enables the impact of current and new interventions on the HRQL of teenagers with food hypersensitivity (FHS) to be evaluated. No such scale exists for teenagers with FHS living in the U.K.

Sensory environment on health-related outcomes of hospital patients.

Background: Hospital environments have recently received renewed interest, with considerable investments into building and renovating healthcare estates. Understanding the effectiveness of environmental interventions is important for resource utilisation and providing quality care.

Objectives: To assess the effect of hospital environments on adult patient health-related outcomes.

Pilot cluster randomised controlled trial of flooring to reduce injuries from falls in elderly care units: study protocol.

Unlabelled: Falls are an issue disproportionately affecting older people who are at increased risk of falls and injury. This protocol describes a pilot study investigating shock-absorbing flooring for fall-related injuries in wards for older people.

Objectives: To inform future research by evaluating fall-related injuries on the intervention and existing flooring, assessing the sustainability of the flooring in ward environments, estimating the cost-effectiveness of the floor and assessing how the floor affects patients and other users.

Quality of life in children and teenagers with food hypersensitivity.

Given that food is essential for life and that there is currently no cure for food hypersensitivity (FHS), quality of life is a key outcome measure for those affected. The quality of life of children and teenagers with FHS is particularly important given that they must learn to manage their FHS while also contending with normal developmental challenges. This article will review the current state of quality of life research in this important area, and discusses the impact of FHS on the quality-of-life of children and teenagers, the availability and suitability of disease-specific health-related quality-of-life measures for this population, and the identification of factors that may influence their health-related quality of life.

Teenagers' experiences of living with food hypersensitivity: a qualitative study.

Teenagers are a high-risk group for food-hypersensitivity fatalities, engage in risk-taking behaviours and may experience impaired quality of life. Understanding their experience is important to inform their care. This study aimed to describe the lived experiences of teenagers with food hypersensitivity.