Children

670 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances in Management of Pediatric Food Allergy

by Katherine Anagnostou, Kate Swan and Adam T. Fox

Children 2015, 2(4), 439-452; https://doi.org/10.3390/children2040439 - 15 Dec 2015

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 5930

Many children now suffer with a food allergy, immunoglobulin E (IgE) and/or non-IgE mediated. Food allergies have a significant impact on the child’s quality of life, as well as that of their family, due to the resultant dietary restrictions and the constant threat of a potentially life-threatening reaction. At present, there is no cure for food allergies, but there are exciting advances occurring in the management of IgE mediated allergies, including a more active approach to management with anticipatory screening testing, early introduction of common food allergens, active tolerance induction, use of biologics and active risk management. These areas will be discussed in this review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Pediatric Food Allergy)

395 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Kiwifruit Allergy in Children: Characterization of Main Allergens and Patterns of Recognition

by Ana Moreno Álvarez, Leticia Vila Sexto, Luda Bardina, Galina Grishina and Hugh. A. Sampson

Children 2015, 2(4), 424-438; https://doi.org/10.3390/children2040424 - 19 Oct 2015

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 6011

Abstract

Kiwifruit allergy has been described mostly in the adult population, but immunoglobulin (Ig)E-mediated allergic reactions to kiwifruit appear to be occurring more frequently in children. To date, 13 allergens from kiwifruit have been identified. Our aim was to identify kiwifruit allergens in a kiwifruit allergic-pediatric population, describing clinical manifestations and patterns of recognition. Twenty-four children were included. Diagnosis of kiwifruit allergy was based on compatible clinical manifestations and demonstration of specific IgE by skin prick test (SPT) and/or serum-specific IgE determination. SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting were performed with kiwifruit extract, and proteins of interest were further analyzed by mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. For component-resolved in vitro diagnosis, sera of kiwifruit-allergic patients were analyzed by an allergen microarray assay. Act d 1 and Act d 2 were bound by IgE from 15 of 24 children. Two children with systemic manifestations recognized a protein of 15 kDa, homologous to Act d 5. Act d 1 was the allergen with the highest frequency of recognition on microarray chip, followed by Act d 2 and Act d 8. Kiwifruit allergic children develop systemic reactions most frequently following ingestion compared to adults. Act d 1 and Act d 2 are major allergens in the pediatric age group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Pediatric Food Allergy)

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509 KiB

Open AccessCommentary

Climate Change and Children’s Health: A Commentary

by Fiona Stanley and Brad Farrant

Children 2015, 2(4), 412-423; https://doi.org/10.3390/children2040412 - 15 Oct 2015

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7631

Abstract

This commentary describes the likely impacts on children's health and wellbeing from climate change, based on the solid science of environmental child health. It describes likely climate change scenarios, why children are more vulnerable than older people to these changes, and what to expect in terms of diseases (e.g., infections, asthma) and problems (e.g., malnutrition, mental illness). The common antecedents of climate change and other detrimental changes to our society mean that in combatting them (such as excessive consumption and greed), we may not only reduce the harmful effects of climate change but also work towards a better society overall—one that values its children and their futures. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impact of Climate Change on Child Health)

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159 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Young Age at Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes Is Associated with the Development of Celiac Disease—Associated Antibodies in Children Living in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

by Harpreet Pall, Leigh A. Newhook, Hillary Aaron, Joseph Curtis and Ed Randell

Children 2015, 2(4), 403-411; https://doi.org/10.3390/children2040403 - 14 Oct 2015

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5481

Abstract

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to establish the prevalence of positive antibodies to endomysium (EMA) and tissue transglutaminase (tTG) in children with type 1 diabetes living in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL), and to examine clinical features associated with positive antibodies. Methods: Patients were recruited from the pediatric diabetes clinic. One hundred sixty-seven children with type 1 diabetes from the 280 children followed at the clinic were prospectively screened for celiac disease using EMA and tTG. The variables of Irish descent, age at onset of diabetes, duration of diabetes, sex, family history of celiac disease, hemoglobin A1C (A1C), ferritin, gastrointestinal symptoms, and body mass index were compiled for all patients. The group of patients with positive antibodies to EMA and/or tTG was compared to the group with negative antibodies. Results: The prevalence of patients with positive antibodies to EMA and/or tTG was 16.8% (n = 28). One patient had also been previously diagnosed with symptomatic celiac disease. The two statistically significant variables with positive antibodies were an earlier age at onset of diabetes (Mann-Whitney U two-tailed test: mean difference 3.2 years, 95% CI 1.7–4.8 years, p < 0.0001) and longer duration of diabetes (Mann-Whitney U two-tailed test: mean difference 2.9 years, 95% CI 1.3–4.4 years, p < 0.0001). Irish descent was associated with positive antibodies but did not reach statistical significance. On logistic regression analysis performed with these three variables together, only age at onset of diabetes remained significant. Conclusions: There is a high prevalence of celiac disease-associated antibodies in children living in NL with type 1 diabetes. Unlike other clinical features, an earlier age at onset of diabetes was predictive for positive antibodies. As the majority of children with positive antibodies did not have signs or symptoms of celiac disease, routine screening for celiac disease in type 1 diabetes is recommended. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pediatric Digestive Diseases)

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Children, Volume 2, Issue 4 (December 2015) – 4 articles , Pages 403-452

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