Growth Parameters Impairment in Patients with Food Allergies

Abstract

Background and Aims. Food allergy (FA) is a common disease that is rapidly increasing in prevalence for reasons that remain unknown. Objective. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical characteristics and anthropometric data of patients with food allergies followed in a tertiary centre of allergy and immunology. Methods. A retrospective study was performed that assessed the data records of patients with food allergy diagnosis, covering a period from February 2009 to February 2012. Results. 354 patients were evaluated in the period; 228 (69.1%) patients had a confirmed FA diagnosis. The z-scores for weight-for-age, height-for-age, and body mass indices-for-age showed lower significant values in the FA group compared with the non-FA group by Mann-Whitney test, with significance values of P = 0.0005, P = 0.0030, and P = 0.0066, respectively. There were no statistical differences in sex, gestational age, birth type, breastfeeding period, and age of introduction of complementary formulas based on cow milk protein between groups. Conclusion. FA patients had a lower growth rate in comparison with patients without FA. The early recognition of food allergies with the establishment of protein-implicated diet exclusion, in association with an adequate nutrient replenishment, is important to reduce the nutritional impact of food allergies.

Association of PCBs and allergies in children

“…In addition, various studies have detected positive correlations between in utero PCB exposure, which is frequently associated with the consumption of fish, and the risk of a low birth weight [48,49]. We did not detect a significant relationship between birth weight and PCB in the present study (data not shown); however, some studies have indicated that a link exists between low birth weight and childhood allergies [50,51]. Furthermore, it remains unclear which types of PCB congeners and PCB homologs are associated with childhood conditions, such as allergies.…”

A Single-Center, Case-Control Study of Low-Dose-Induction Oral Immunotherapy with Cow's Milk

“…However, many children tend to outgrow food allergies that occur at 6 years, at the end of childhood in half of all cases (based on the natural history of milk allergy) and by their teenage years in approximately 80% of cases [17]. Nevertheless, some children continue to have food allergies beyond their teenage years, and complete elimination of milk may lead to complications such as shorter body height [18,19,20]. Previously, the best approach was considered to be the complete avoidance of milk and milk products and repeating OFCs until the result became negative.…”

Useful biomarkers for assessing the adverse health effects of PCBs in allergic children: pediatric molecular epidemiology

“…In our study, we did not detect a significant relationship between low birth weight and PCB exposure (data not shown). However, some previous studies have suggested that low birth weight is associated with childhood allergies [38,39]. Therefore, we will attempt to clarify the relationship between childhood allergies, birth weight, and in utero PCB exposure.…”