title: Food allergy in childhood (infancy to school age).
abstract: Food allergy is a potentially life-threatening condition affecting almost 10% of children, with an increasing incidence in the last few decades. It is defined as an immune reaction to food, and its pathogenesis may be IgE mediated, mixed IgE and non-IgE mediated, or non-IgE mediated. Potentially all foods can cause food allergy, but a minority of foods are responsible for the vast majority of reactions reported. A good clinical history is crucial for an accurate diagnosis. Allergy tests, including the skin prick test and measurement of specific IgE antibodies, are useful tools in the case of IgE-mediated or mixed allergy but have not been shown to be of any help in delayed allergic reactions to foods.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Allergy Unit, Department of Child and Adolescent, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Marcel M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.forename: Philippe A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Eigenmann
mesh_terms: D000567:Amelogenesis Imperfecta / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004044:Dietary Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D004760:Enterocolitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006319:Hearing Loss, Sensorineural / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007223:Infant; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D009264:Nails, Malformed / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D011350:Proctocolitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D004044:Dietary Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E