Do No Harm: Risk vs. Benefit of the Approach to Childhood Food Allergy

Opinion statementThe prevalence of food allergy is rising across much of the world, but the rate of fatal food anaphylaxis appears generally stable. Given the negligible impact on overall mortality risk from fatal food anaphylaxis in children, probable overdiagnosis of food allergy, and the large psychosocial burden caused by this disease, we aim to reassure patients, families, and allergists regarding risk and propose solutions to improve the current approach to childhood food allergy. Data suggests that children labelled food allergic and their parents frequently overestimate their food allergy risk, leading to excessive anxiety and decreased quality of life. Strict approaches to a food allergy diagnosis in children utilizing the double-blind placebo-controlled food challenge can decrease the number of children inappropriately labelled allergic and increase the quality of life of both children and parents. Among children with confirmed food allergy, cognitive behavioral therapy could offer reductions in anxiety and increase quality of life. This review focuses on understanding the burden of childhood food allergy as it relates to mortality risk and psychosocial impact. The current physician, parent, and community approach and response to childhood food allergy diagnosis is challenged in an attempt to detail a path towards decreasing anxiety and reducing the negative impact of this disease.
Source: Current Treatment Options in Allergy - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research