Food allergies in childhood

The present article summarizes some aspects concerning food allergy in children, namely on the three actual topics allergy prevention, component resolved diagnostic and oral immunotherapy. Component resolved diagnostic offers the chances to assess risk factors for anaphylactic reactions, may increase diagnostic sensitivity in comparison to the pure allergen extract and allows statements on possible cross-reactivities. The aim of oral immunotherapy is to protect patients with food allergies from severe allergic reactions after accidental exposure and to increase quality of life if patients can eat a certain amount of a normal daily allergen dose. Previous studies with cow's milk, hen's egg and peanut have been successful and promising, but also showed appreciable side effects. In summary, oral immunotherapy should still be reserved for controlled clinical trials. The current guideline on allergy prevention for German-speaking countries from 2009 may give rise for some controversies, since it uses quite open wordings and provides recommendations, which may eventually lead to misunderstandings. From our point of view, different foods should be considered separately.