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Children may build tolerance to egg allergy |
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July 15, 2008 | MILWAUKEE – New research suggests that beating childhood egg allergy is literally a piece of cake. |
In a preliminary study, researchers in Greece
demonstrated that gradually exposing allergic children to heat-treated egg -
such as those in baked goods - could help them overcome the allergy. In the trial, 94 children were regularly given
tiny amounts of cake containing egg. Over a period of several months, the
quantity of cake was gradually increased. Eighty-seven children (90 percent)
were able to eat the maximum amount without symptoms. |
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After six months of daily doses of the processed
egg, those children were challenged to eat egg that was not cooked to the same
degree. More than 95 percent had no reaction and were believed to have outgrown
the allergy. The findings will be published in an upcoming
issue of the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, the official
scientific journal of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). According to the AAAAI, one in 17 children under
age 3 suffers from a food allergy. Hen's egg is among the most common allergens
for children. And while many children with egg allergy outgrow the sensitivity
by the time they enter school, until then eliminating all egg from the diet is
the only effective management. This study suggests that deliberate exposure to
heat-treated egg may speed that tolerance. The AAAAI represents allergists, asthma
specialists, clinical immunologists, allied health professionals and others with
a special interest in the research and treatment of allergic disease.
Established in 1943, the AAAAI has nearly 6,500 members in the United States,
Canada and 60 other countries. |
| Source: http://www.aaaai.org/ |
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