Examine allergies in infants

Many infants suffer from a food allergy

02/01/2012

Infants often already suffer from an allergy. For example, after the first intake of solid food, children may show an allergic reaction, which should urgently be further investigated, explained the specialist in paediatrics and allergology from Krefeld, Herbert Steinheuer, to the news agency „dpa“.

According to the expert, up to seven percent of toddlers suffer from an allergy. Not infrequently, this manifests itself after the first intake of solid food in the form of itchy rash, indigestion and diarrhea or snuff-like symptoms. With appropriate indications, a medical examination should urgently follow, in order to identify the causes of the allergischen reactions, explained the Krefelder allergist. Because the sooner an underlying food allergy or the triggering allergen is detected, the lower, according to the expert, the health risks for the child.

Health risks to young children due to food allergies
Many small children suffer from a food allergy, which first appears with the switch to solid nutrition. Thus, the consumption of the first piece of bread may be a critical moment. If the children subsequently show typical allergic symptoms, such as runny nose, sneezing attacks, diarrhea or skin rash, suspected food allergies are close, explained Herbert Steinheuer. Although there are none „reliable studies on the number of affected children“, but according to the allergist and specialist in paediatrics and adolescent medicine go „Estimates of two to seven percent of all children out.“ For the first time, the symptoms usually appear within the first two years of life, explained the expert. In such cases, Steinheuer advises parents to consult a doctor urgently, since only by identifying food allergy or allergens can further health risks be excluded for adolescents. In the future, it would be possible to avoid the intake of such foods, which could lead to a change in the diet for the whole family, but which protects children from worse physical reactions, explained the allergist.

Proteins in staple foods most common trigger of allergies
Jörg Kleine-Tebbe of the German Society for Allergology and Clinical Immunology also knows about the risks of food allergy in small children. „Those affected react within a short time after eating the food with reactions such as itching in the oral cavity, hives, shortness of breath or circulatory reactions to anaphylactic shock“, explained Kleine-Tebbe to the news agency „dpa“.

Over time, allergic reactions such as eczema on the skin may continue to worsen. According to the expert, the symptoms occurring immediately after ingestion are a sign that the immune system of the body is fighting against the allergen with the help of so-called IgE antibodies, because this is perceived as an attacker. „In these so-called type 1 allergies or even immediate-type allergies, the body forms IgE antibodies during the sensitization phase of a few weeks“, according to the expert of the German Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology. As the most common trigger of food allergies in infants, Kleine-Tebbe calls stable proteins in staple foods such as cow's milk, chicken eggs, nuts, wheat, fish or soy. However, changing the diet and possibly eliminating the need for a staple food could be a significant burden for the entire family, so the specific allergen should be identified for the time being rather than suspending it. With the support of a pediatrician specializing in allergies, according to the expert, the cause of the allergic reactions should be determined as soon as possible.

Food diary as an aid in the search for allergy triggers
However, the search for the triggers of the allergic reaction may be quite difficult. Helpful information can provide a so-called food diary, in which the parents record all food in detail over a certain period of time. On this basis, it is easier for the pediatrician to recognize a connection between the intake of food and the symptoms, explained the Krefelder allergist Steinheuer. If suspected, targeted tests are then possible to unambiguously identify the allergens. The so-called prick tests often used in adults, where potential allergens are applied to the skin and the skin is subsequently slightly bruised, are, according to the expert, not very practicable in infants. Last but not least „hardly any skin areas are available that are big enough“, emphasized Herbert Steinhauer. As an alternative, the allergist calls for evidence of allergy by detecting the IgE antibodies in the blood. In addition, in particularly complicated cases, there is the possibility of first administering low-allergen diets and subsequently targeted allergens in clinics or special centers under medical supervision in order to determine the triggers of the allergy.

Food allergy to infants requires comprehensive nutritional advice
If the triggers of the allergic reaction are identified, according to the experts, in any case, comprehensive nutritional advice should be provided. The necessary information on possible contact persons can be obtained, for example, from the German Allergy and Asthma Association. Like the nutritionist from Munich, Imke Reese, opposite the „dpa“ explained, questions such as: „Where is the food that should be avoided? And: How can I replace it so that a full-fledged nutrition is assured? "In the first place The entire family must learn to deal with the allergy of the child For packaged foods, the view on the list of ingredients is particularly important, since since the However, in 2005, the main allergens must be declared in the EU „the problem that there is no final inspection of the products“, explained nutritionist Reese. So, according to Reese „always residues from a previous production in a food advised“, why „Many manufacturers put the warning label under the ingredients list May contain traces of xy“ place.

More problematic than with the packaged food, however, is the avoidance of allergens, for example, in loose goods, children's birthday parties or in the restaurant, so that the intake of allergens can not be ruled out with complete certainty and the victims should therefore always have an emergency package at hand, explained the expert , According to Jörg Kleine-Tebbe, however, there is also good news regarding food allergy in infants: „Around 80 percent of small patients lose this allergy again until school age at the latest.“ (Fp)

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Image: Ingo Döring