Prebiotics for the prevention of allergies: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Prevalence of allergic diseases in infants is approximately 10% reaching 20 to 30% in those with an allergic first-degree relative. Prebiotics are selectively fermented food ingredients that allow specific changes in composition/activity of the gastrointestinal microflora. They modulate immune responses, and their supplementation has been proposed as an intervention to prevent allergies.

World Allergy Organization-McMaster University Guidelines for Allergic Disease Prevention (GLAD-P): Vitamin D.

Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases is approximately 10 % in infants whose parents and siblings do not have allergic diseases and 20-30 % in those with an allergic first-degree relative. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of the immune system and it may play a role in the development, severity and course of asthma and other allergic diseases.

Objective: The World Allergy Organization (WAO) convened a guideline panel to develop evidence-based recommendations addressing the use of vitamin D in primary prevention of allergic diseases.

World Allergy Organization-McMaster University Guidelines for Allergic Disease Prevention (GLAD-P): Prebiotics.

Background: The prevalence of allergic diseases in infants, whose parents and siblings do not have allergy, is approximately 10 % and reaches 20-30 % in those with an allergic first-degree relative. Intestinal microbiota may modulate immunologic and inflammatory systemic responses and, thus, influence development of sensitization and allergy. Prebiotics - non-digestible oligosaccharides that stimulate growth of probiotic bacteria - have been reported to modulate immune responses and their supplementation has been proposed as a preventive intervention.

Probiotics for the prevention of allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Allergic diseases are considered a health burden because of their high and constantly increasing prevalence, high direct and indirect costs, and undesirable effects on quality of life. Probiotics have been suggested as an intervention to prevent allergic diseases.

Objective: We sought to synthesize the evidence supporting use of probiotics for the prevention of allergies and inform World Allergy Organization guidelines on probiotic use.

World Allergy Organization-McMaster University Guidelines for Allergic Disease Prevention (GLAD-P): Probiotics.

Background: Prevalence of allergic diseases in infants, whose parents and siblings do not have allergy, is approximately 10% and reaches 20-30% in those with an allergic first-degree relative. Intestinal microbiota may modulate immunologic and inflammatory systemic responses and, thus, influence development of sensitization and allergy. Probiotics have been reported to modulate immune responses and their supplementation has been proposed as a preventive intervention.

Impact of dietary regimen on the duration of cow's milk allergy: a random allocation study.

Background: The impact of diet on cow's milk allergy (CMA) duration and whether exposure to residual amounts of cow's milk protein influences the onset of tolerance are unknown.

Objective: To prospectively assess the dietary factors influencing disease duration in a randomized cohort.

Methods: We randomly switched the formula of symptomatic patients from the Milan Cow's Milk Allergy Cohort to one of three treatment groups according to the quarterly rotation of rice hydrolysate formula, extensively hydrolysed cow's milk formula and soy-based formula.

Clinical tolerance of processed foods.

Objective: To review the effects of technological processing on selected foods of relevance to childhood allergy from the viewpoints of reduced allergenicity, contamination of processed foods by allergens introduced during processing, and ad hoc technologies to produce reduced hypoallergenic products.

Data Sources: We searched the literature (PubMed/MEDLINE) for articles published between January 1994 and April 2004 using the following keywords: food allergy AND process* OR heat* OR cooking OR toleran*.

Study Selection: We drew on our collective clinical and biological experience to restrict retrieved studies to those of more frequent relevance to a hospital allergy practice.

Differential diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergy in young children with wheezing or eczema symptoms using a single blood test.

Background: Allergy-like symptoms are common in young children, but the case history and physical examination cannot identify the underlying origins of overlapping symptom profiles.

Objective: To evaluate a blood test, Phadiatop Infant (Pharmacia Diagnostics AB, Uppsala, Sweden), for differentiating the capability of IgE-mediated disease in young children with recurrent wheezing, eczema, or both.

Methods: One hundred forty-seven children (mean age, 2.

Tolerance to a rice hydrolysate formula in children allergic to cow's milk and soy.

Background: Even hydrolysed cow's milk formulae may retain residual allergens and there are few nutritional options for children with cow's milk allergy (CMA) who also react to soy.

Objective: To assess clinical tolerance to a rice-based hydrolysate in children with such a clinical presentation.

Patients And Methods: Eighteen children (six girls and 12 boys; median age 5 years; range 1-9 years) with CMA, who developed clinical reactions to a soy-based formula after 2-18 months' treatment, were recruited between January 1998 and June 1999.

Primary dietary prevention of food allergy.

Objective: To present research and clinical evidence on the use of primary dietary prevention in food allergy management.

Data Sources: We conducted MEDLINE searches for pertinent articles published between January 1986 and October 2001 with use of the following keywords or phrases: prevention and diet and allergy, food allergy and prevention, and dietary prevention and food allergy or allergens. Also included are information and commentary reflecting the authors' cumulative clinical experience in an allergy unit of a city hospital.

Use of hydrolysates in the treatment of cow's milk allergy.

Background: Hydrolyzed formulas (HFs) are in general well tolerated by children with cow's milk allergy (CMA), although cases of allergic reactions have been reported and residual allergenicity of HF has been demonstrated

Objective: To review the most relevant studies of the HFs for residual allergenicity, tolerance, and safety in the past 20 years.

Data Sources And Methods: MEDLINE searches for the years 1970 to 2001 using the following algorithm (hydrolysate and allergy; food intolerance/allergy; protein hydrolysate).

Results: The literature confirmed that although some antigenicity remains, HFs are well tolerated by children with CMA.

Beef allergy in children with cow's milk allergy; cow's milk allergy in children with beef allergy.

Objective: To review the literature on the prevalence of beef allergy in children allergic to cow's milk and to report a series of patients with beef allergy evaluated for cow's milk allergy.

Data Sources: A MEDLINE search for cow's milk allergy and beef allergy was conducted. Also included in this report is a clinical evaluation of both these entities in a population of children with atopic dermatitis.

Accuracy of skin prick tests in IgE-mediated adverse reactions to bovine proteins.

Objectives: To review the recent literature on the diagnostic accuracy of skin prick tests (SPTs) in pediatric food allergy, focusing on adverse reactions to milk and beef. To present data about the test performance characteristics of beef extracts used in SPTs among children with atopic dermatitis (AD) reporting immediate hypersensitivity to beef.

Data Sources: MEDLINE search using the following algorithm ["skin prick test" AND "food allergy" OR allergen; 1997-2002; English; all children].

Severe anaphylaxis induced by latex as a contaminant of plastic balls in play pits.

Background: Latex causes anaphylaxis in specific contexts among children. We present 2 cases that show that severe reactions may occur in everyday circumstances with latex as a contaminant.

Objective: Because 2 cases of severe reactions to latex suggested similar circumstances of exposure, we investigated the immediate environment in which episodes occurred.