Children May Build Tolerance To Egg Allergy

Main Category: Allergy
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 16 Jul 2008 - 0:00 PST

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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.

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.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology